Paul Finebaum, one of the most recognizable voices in college football media, recently sparked conversation across the sport with his candid remarks about a prominent program he believes is increasingly difficult to trust. During a segment on ESPN, Finebaum expressed skepticism about the legitimacy of USC as a national contender heading into the upcoming season, despite the Trojans’ talent and recruiting prowess.
Finebaum’s concerns center around a familiar issue: defense. Under head coach Lincoln Riley, USC has garnered attention for its explosive offensive schemes, especially with Heisman-caliber quarterbacks like Caleb Williams at the helm in recent seasons. However, their inability to field a reliable, physical, and fundamentally sound defense has continually hindered their pursuit of national relevance. Last season, despite lofty expectations, USC stumbled to an underwhelming finish, exposing systemic flaws that Finebaum believes remain unresolved.
“What we’ve seen time and again with USC is that they can score with anybody,” Finebaum stated. “But when it comes to winning gritty, championship-level games, particularly against physical teams, they haven’t proven they can do it. That’s not a recipe for a national title run.”
Despite adding several key transfers and bringing in new defensive staff, including fresh minds on the coaching front, Finebaum remains unconvinced that USC will turn the corner defensively. He argued that in an increasingly competitive Big Ten—where they’ll face programs like Michigan, Ohio State, and Penn State—the lack of a consistent defense will become an even greater liability.
Moreover, Finebaum questioned whether Lincoln Riley is capable of adapting his coaching philosophy to meet the demands of tougher, more physical conferences. “Lincoln Riley is a brilliant offensive coach,” Finebaum acknowledged. “But this isn’t the Big 12 anymore, and style points won’t save you in the Big Ten.”
Finebaum’s remarks echo a sentiment shared by some within the college football community who see USC as a perennial underachiever. Even though the Trojans consistently land top-tier recruits and possess one of the largest brand names in the sport, their performance on the field has often failed to match the hype. This pattern of falling short in big moments has led critics to question whether the program can reclaim its status as a true powerhouse.
Despite these criticisms, it would be premature to completely write off USC. The 2025 season brings a fresh slate, a highly-touted recruiting class, and the motivation to prove doubters wrong. With the Pac-12 dissolved and USC moving to the Big Ten, the program faces a new environment where every week will be a test. Riley and his staff will need to demonstrate that they’ve learned from past mistakes and are capable of building a more complete, balanced team.
For now, however, Finebaum’s skepticism highlights a growing divide between USC’s perceived potential and its on-field reality. Until the Trojans can consistently win tough, physical games and show progress on defense, analysts like Finebaum—and fans across the country—will continue to view them as a team that’s hard to fully believe in.
