Lincoln Riley is facing renewed questions about his future at USC after the Trojans suffered a 24-7 defeat to Wisconsin, adding another disappointing result to a season that began with much higher expectations.
The No. 15 Trojans struggled on both sides of the ball Saturday at Camp Randall Stadium, losing another Big Ten road game and falling to 6-2 overall. With matchups against Ohio State, defending national champion Indiana and rival UCLA still ahead, USC has little room for further setbacks.
The defeat was particularly frustrating because Wisconsin entered the game having struggled earlier in the season. Yet the Badgers controlled the contest physically, while USC's offense failed to find its rhythm.
For Riley, the loss has intensified scrutiny of a program that has yet to establish the consistency many expected under his leadership.
USC's Offense Fails to Deliver
The Trojans' offensive struggles were central to the defeat.
Quarterback Jayden Maiava endured one of his most difficult performances of the season, throwing two interceptions for the first time in 2026. USC's normally explosive playmakers also struggled to generate momentum against Wisconsin's defense.
The ground game was especially ineffective. The Trojans finished with minus-17 rushing yards, leaving the offense heavily reliant on the passing game despite Maiava's mistakes.
Special teams added to the frustration, with USC missing two field goals. One attempt came after a delay-of-game penalty pushed the team farther from the goalposts.
The combination of turnovers, limited rushing production and missed scoring opportunities left the Trojans unable to respond as Wisconsin took control.
Wisconsin Dominates the Line of Scrimmage
Wisconsin's offensive approach was straightforward but effective: run the football and force USC to stop it.
The Badgers recorded 142 rushing yards on 43 carries, while quarterback Colton Joseph completed 12 passes for just 58 yards. Wisconsin did not need a productive passing attack to take control of the game.
USC struggled to slow the rushing offense even though the Badgers' approach was hardly a mystery.
The 17-point margin also marked the largest defeat suffered by a ranked team coached by Riley against an unranked opponent, according to the supplied report. USC's seven points were the fewest scored by a Riley-coached team during his head-coaching career.
For a program aiming to compete for major honors, the performance raised further questions about its physicality and ability to execute when challenged.
A Troubling Pattern on the Road
Saturday's result continued a broader problem for USC in conference road games.
The Trojans have repeatedly struggled when traveling to the Central and Eastern time zones. Following the loss to Wisconsin, they have a 4-9 record in those games, according to the supplied report.
The latest defeat followed several uneven performances. USC narrowly escaped Rutgers, lost to Oregon and struggled in a victory over Washington, where frustrated students reportedly chanted for Riley to be fired. The Trojans then managed to get past Penn State in another difficult contest.
Those results suggest the problems against Wisconsin were not entirely isolated. Instead, they came after several weeks in which USC had struggled to deliver convincing performances.
Although the Trojans remain 6-2, their record does not tell the entire story of a season that has become increasingly difficult to evaluate.
Is Lincoln Riley's Job at Risk?
The Wisconsin defeat has intensified debate about Riley's future in Los Angeles.
USC hired Riley with the expectation that he would help restore the program's place among college football's leading teams. However, the Trojans have continued to experience inconsistent performances, particularly against strong conference opponents and on the road.
The latest result has increased pressure on Riley to demonstrate that the program is making meaningful progress.
Former USC star Keyshawn Johnson has also publicly criticized the direction of the program, arguing that difficult decisions may be necessary. That criticism reflects the growing frustration surrounding the team's performances.
Still, a loss does not by itself establish that USC's leadership has decided to make a coaching change. Riley's future will depend on the program's broader expectations, the team's remaining results and decisions made by university leadership.
What is clear is that the margin for error has narrowed considerably.
USC Faces a Demanding Finish
The Trojans have little time to dwell on the Wisconsin loss, with a difficult run of games approaching.
Ohio State is next, followed by Indiana, the defending national champion in the supplied report. USC will then face UCLA in a rivalry matchup that carries additional significance for the program and its supporters.
That stretch will provide a substantial test of whether the Trojans can respond to adversity and compete more consistently.
A strong finish could help restore confidence, while additional defeats would likely intensify scrutiny of Riley and his staff.
The Pressure Is Building in Los Angeles
USC's season is not yet beyond repair, but the Wisconsin game exposed serious weaknesses. The offense struggled to move the ball, special teams missed important opportunities, and the defense could not contain a relatively modest passing attack built around the run.
Those issues have become harder to dismiss after several uneven weeks.
Riley now faces a critical period in his USC tenure. The coming games will test the team's ability to correct its mistakes and show progress against difficult opposition.
For the Trojans, the immediate challenge is to turn frustration into improved performances. For Riley, the results of the remaining schedule could shape the conversation about the direction of USC football well beyond this season.
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