Three reasons why Lincoln Riley is NOT on the hot seat this season

No. 3 - Lincoln Riley's program remains an NFL quarterback factory

Football teams can't win a backyard touch football game with a lousy quarterback. In college football, quarterback play always separates the pretenders from the contenders. Washington's unlikely journey to the CFP title game resulted from Michael Penix's Heisman-worthy production.

Likewise, as good as Michigan's defense was, the Wolverines wouldn't be reigning champions if J.J. McCarthy didn't make incredible plays in pivotal moments.

USC was more of a pretender in 2023, but without Caleb Williams, the Trojans were lucky to have won three games. Riley recruited Williams to Oklahoma and brought him to Southern California. They failed to win a national championship together, but the Trojan head coach developed Williams into a Heisman Trophy winner and first-overall NFL draft pick.

Riley produced the same results with Kyler Murray and Baker Mayfield while in Norman. Moreover, the head coach's work with Jalen Hurts was also incredible. Hurts' flaws as a passer saw him get replaced by Tua Tagovailoa at Alabama. But in one season, Riley developed the quarterback into a Heisman finalist and a second-round draft pick.

Elite high school quarterbacks seek NFL stardom; thus, playing for Riley remains attractive. JuJu Lewis is currently the No. 2 quarterback in the 2025 recruiting class and committed to USC. The Carrolton (GA) prospect has repeatedly said that his commitment has everything to do with playing for Riley.

Miller Moss also looks poised for a big season after a record-setting performance in the 2023 Holiday Bowl. A scenario in which Moss leads USC before handing the keys to Lewis is phenomenal. It's also a scenario that keeps Riley in charge of Troy long-term.

Speaking of transition...