The Trojans coach stood up for himself after an offseason full of questions. USC coach Lincoln Riley was no stranger to criticism ahead of the 2024 season, as last year’s disappointing campaign sparked concerns about the trajectory of both his program and his coaching career. The Trojans squashed plenty of the doubt that followed them into the opener, though, with a thrilling 27-20 win in a marquee top-25 showdown against LSU.