USC football: 3 things Lincoln Riley must do in 2022

It's been a while since USC reached the top of the college football mountain, last winning the national championship in the 2004 season.

Between then and now has seen one coach after another try to imitate the success of the Pete Carroll era, but to no avail. That inspired the program to make a landmark move this offseason, hiring Lincoln Riley away from Oklahoma.

One of the youngest and most promising coaches in the business, Riley brings an established reputation as an offensive guru, coaching two Heisman Trophy-winning quarterbacks and earning three straight College Football Playoff bids with the Sooners.

And he's already made some in-roads at USC, inking major transfer players like quarterback Caleb Williams and wide receiver Mario Williams. Five-star 2023 quarterback Malachi Nelson has committed to the Trojans, in addition to wideouts Zachariah Branch (5-star) and Makai Lemon (4-star).

What is on Lincoln Riley's checklist in 2022 as he takes over the USC football program?

Lincoln Riley at USC: What to do in '22

1. Cash in on these skill players right away

Offense is Lincoln Riley's specialty, engineering an attack that culminated in three straight 12-2 seasons and three CFP berths in his first three seasons.

In Riley's first season, Oklahoma ranked No. 1 in college football with 579.6 yards per game and 632 total points, and was third with 45.1 points per game. Oklahoma led the nation in points and yards per game again in 2018, and was third overall in 2019.

Clearly, putting an elite offense in place in a hurry is something Riley can do. Especially when looking at the pieces he'll have at his disposal. Oklahoma transfer Caleb Williams is one of the top quarterbacks in the country already, and he comes in with full knowledge of Riley's scheme and playbook.

Oregon transfer RB Travis Dye and former Stanford back Austin Davis are also coming over, as are wideouts Mario Williams, Brenden Rice, and Terrell Bynum.

Those additions, as well as to the talent USC already has at the skill positions, should be enough to propel this offense from its 2021 doldrums.

USC failed to surpass six yards per play a year ago and averaged a shade over four TDs per game. Expect those numbers to go up.

2. Protect those skill players

USC looked better up front last season than it did the year before. In 2020, the Trojans allowed 15 sacks in just six outings.

Last fall, it surrendered 18 in twice as many games and paved the way for its best yard per carry average since 2017.

But now the team loses two of its most experienced starters in Jalen McKenzie and Liam Jimmons. With them go more than a thousand combined snaps and an added degree of leadership.

The good news is that Virginia transfer blocker Bobby Haskins came over this offseason, and USC returns Andrew Vorhees, a combo guard/tackle, in addition to Brett Neilon, who had the most snaps (534) without giving up a sack of any center in the Power 5 last season, per PFF.

It's a solid foundation to build out from, but the Trojans need to shore up this line from end to end so its talented group of skill players have the room to do their work.

3. Stop somebody

This is something close to a total redo for new defensive coordinator Alex Grinch. How well the Trojans can patch up this unit in Year 1 will go a long way in determining if this team can really make a run for the Pac-12 this fall.

Six of USC's last seven opponents scored at least 31 points. As a whole, the defense recorded only 21 sacks a year ago. It allowed over 175 rushing yards per game. On the back end, it ranked No. 119 in pass efficiency defense. And allowed opposing passers to complete over 65 percent of their attempts.

How to fix that? Start with what you have. Five-star prospect Domani Jackson should push for snaps right away at cornerback, while Calen Bullock's return bodes well for the safety position.

Xavion Alford, Jaylin Smith, and Max Williams all come back at safety, too. Ceyair Wright and Prophet Brown bring some promise to the corners. Watch especially for how transfers Latrell McCutchin and Mekhi Blackman progress.

USC needs to get more physical at the line of scrimmage, and to do that, it needs more from second-year 5-star edge rusher Korey Foreman. He had 2.5 sacks a year ago, a number that will have to go up. Nick Figueroa plays the same end position as Foreman, but the Trojans need to get their other best D-lineman on the field.

Junior D-tackle Tuli Tuipulotu should figure into the rotation after leading USC in sacks a year ago.

USC football schedule for 2022 season

Sept. 3 vs. Rice

Sept. 10 at Stanford

Sept. 17 vs. Fresno State

Sept. 24 at Oregon State

Oct. 1 vs. Arizona State

Oct. 8 vs. Washington State

Oct. 15 at Utah

Oct. 22 Idle

Oct. 29 at Arizona

Nov. 5 vs. Cal

Nov. 11 vs. Colorado

Nov. 19 at UCLA

Nov. 26 vs. Notre Dame

Dec. 2 Pac-12 Championship Game

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