USC is at a pivotal point in its program and must beat Washington to save Lincoln Riley

The sun hasn't set on the USC Trojans playoff hunt just yet, but it's time to turn things around. Lincoln Riley and the team really can't afford another loss this week. With Washington headed to town for homecoming and reunion weekend, there arguable won't be a bigger game to define USC's season and possibly the future of Riley.

With so many big-time donors and alumni hanging around campus all week, you can bet these folks will be making sure their voices are heard when it comes to the future of USC football.

Homecoming and reunion weekend is bringing a lot of hype to the main event which is the Trojans' primetime showdown against the Huskies. Riley still hasn’t managed to beat Washington since he got to LA and can't afford another loss this early in the season.

USC faces Washington in an effort to try to keep its season from going south

Riley needs to beat Washington, plain and simple. The Huskies just lost to Minnesota and are just as desperate to turn their season around as the Trojans are. Plus, there’s talk that that massive $72 million buyout won’t stop USC from making a change if things keep going south. To top it all off, there’s going to be a ton of recruits in the stands for this one. USC’s standing with those guys is still okay after the Oregon game, but if the team keeps losing in front of them, that could change fast.

Bottom line is that the defense has to step up. The offense is a well oiled machine, and with Jayden Maiava running the show, it doesn't even matter who's catching the ball because he’s been electric. Offense has never been the problem under Lincoln Riley, but the defense is officially under the microscope this weekend. They’ve been struggling with coverage gaps and just can’t seem to get enough pressure on the QB.

Now, defensive coordinator Gary Patterson has to plug those holes in the secondary and at linebacker, which is going to be even tougher without Desman Stephens suspended for that targeting call last week. USC fans spent the first five weeks wanting wins that looked good, but honestly, style points don't matter anymore. All that counts now is getting the W to keep those playoff hopes alive. If this team wants a shot at the postseason, the defense has to show something... anything—to help the offense out.

The noise around the program has been pretty rough this week, so the team has had to lock in and keep their heads down. Even if the Trojans come out firing, I have a bad feeling Washington’s QB, Demond Williams, is going to tear that defense apart.

We’ve seen this movie before. Opposing QBs seem to have the games of their lives against Lincoln Riley’s defenses every single time. The offense will probably keep it close and trade scores, but it just won't be enough. If they drop this one, it’ll be the worst loss of the Riley era, and his seat is going to go from hot to absolutely scorching.

Washington 37
USC 34

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