Riley to USC

Appears he wanted no part of the SEC.

why is the headline Riley to LSU lol 

@"pattersaur" said: why is the headline Riley to LSU lol 

Wrong acronym, it happens when I read something else and type at the same time. 

How is the USC job better than OU? If the ultimate goal is the NFL, I don't get this move. 

@"StickyBun" said: How is the USC job better than OU? If the ultimate goal is the NFL, I don't get this move. 

Agreed,   seems like a step backwards to me.  Likely more money and perks,  but...USC.

@"JimmyinSD" said:

@"StickyBun" said: How is the USC job better than OU? If the ultimate goal is the NFL, I don't get this move. 

Agreed,   seems like a step backwards to me.  Likely more money and perks,  but...USC.

@"Hawkvike25" said:

@"JimmyinSD" said:

@"StickyBun" said: How is the USC job better than OU? If the ultimate goal is the NFL, I don't get this move. 

Agreed,   seems like a step backwards to me.  Likely more money and perks,  but...USC.

I really think it's a combination of Riley not wanting to go to the SEC and may not like his team moving forward. Oklahoma was insanely overrated this year and failed to cover the spread in like their first 6-7 games or something. He's going to get great recruits at USC and because of their name they will be a Playoff team if they have 1 win at the end of the year. We will see if he's able to bring them back to what they were in the early to mid 2000s

There is college football that exists outside of the SEC.  USC has gone through some AD drama and bad hires in recent years and I think many forget that they are one of the top college programs of all time.  The HC job there has been considered one of the most coveted HC college jobs with the history of the program and the fact that it sits within the best recruiting bed of the talent in the nation.  I would wager they will easily have one of the top 3 recruiting classes this year.  The coach that comes in and returns the program championship form will go down as a legend within the program.  

@"JR44" said: There is college football that exists outside of the SEC.  USC has gone through some AD drama and bad hires in recent years and I think many forget that they are one of the top college programs of all time.  The HC job there has been considered one of the most coveted HC college jobs with the history of the program and the fact that it sits within the best recruiting bed of the talent in the nation.  I would wager they will easily have one of the top 3 recruiting classes this year.  The coach that comes in and returns the program championship form will go down as a legend within the program.  

The last decent season USC has had was 2016 and then you need to go back to 2008 before that. They were an excellent program under Pete Carroll in the 2000s and I'm obviously aware of their dominance as a national power before that. 13 years of relevant dormancy is a lifetime in college football, but to your point California is a hotbed of talent and with the right coach, they can recruit nationwide. I wouldn't sleep on their potential resurgence. 

If he stays at Oklahoma he becomes a regular fish in a big pond.   In the Big 12 he was a big fish in a small pond.  EVERY SINGLE YEAR at OU he had a legitimate path to the playoffs as evidenced by his making the playoffs 3 times and great bowl games the other two times.   Cotton and projected Alamo this year.  He goes to USC and he is back to being the big fish in the little pond.  I don't blame him a bit.   Kelly going to LSU and possibly taking his DC with him is problematic for us Iowa State fans.  Top two candidates are Matt Campbell and Fickell from Cincinnati.  OU did not tell Riley they were going to the SEC as he was blind sided by the move.  Stupid move for both OU and Texas IMO.  

SEC football competition and living in Baton Rouge vs. PAC competition and living in SoCal

Makes a lot of sense to me, he can go rebuild one of the finest college programs in America and be a superstar in the process.  CA talent to work with and an easier path to the college football playoff annually.

He is making the most of an opportunity. USC has been irrelevant for a while now and if he can turn it around cool, if not he gets a big payday.

And, bang:  Oklahoma's top 2023 QB recruit decommits, switches to USC.

Malachi Nelson commitment: Five-star 2023 QB headed to USC - Sports Illustrated

As purplefaithful mentioned earlier, USC is a sleeping giant.  If Riley just gets the top SoCal recruits to stay home instead of running to Oregon, OSU (Stroud), Alabama (Bryant Young), etc., they're going to be back on top very quickly.

@"StickyBun" said: How is the USC job better than OU? If the ultimate goal is the NFL, I don't get this move. 

He is far away from Alabama/SEC, easier access to recruits and better chance of signing the best plus life in SoCal is not too shabby

@"mblack" said:

@"StickyBun" said: How is the USC job better than OU? If the ultimate goal is the NFL, I don't get this move. 

He is far away from Alabama/SEC, easier access to recruits and better chance of signing the best plus life in SoCal is not too shabby

@"StickyBun" said:

@"mblack" said:

@"StickyBun" said: How is the USC job better than OU? If the ultimate goal is the NFL, I don't get this move. 

He is far away from Alabama/SEC, easier access to recruits and better chance of signing the best plus life in SoCal is not too shabby

SoCal > Norman, Oklahoma.