WATCH: USC football drops hype video to usher in Lincoln Riley era

This offseason was full of a whirlwind of changes in the college football world. Without a doubt, one of the biggest moves that drew the most attention was Lincoln Riley leaving the Oklahoma Sooners to try and restore the glory in the USC Trojans’ football program. Expectations are sky high entering the first year of the Riley era in Los Angeles and on Sunday night, the USC football program dropped a hype video to further build the anticipation for his inaugural season as the head man of the Trojans.

The next chapter of our story starts now. 🎬✌️ @lincolnriley pic.twitter.com/BzLU34i1Km

— USC Football ✌️ (@USC_FB) August 29, 2022

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The video begins with an introduction of Riley and his sparkling coaching resume over the years. Respected as one of the best offensive minds in football, the Trojans’ head coach has mentored two Heisman Trophy winners (Kyler Murray and Baker Mayfield). On top of that, his offenses have always ranked among the highest scoring in college football. The video makes sure to remind us of those facts.

It also reminds every one of the glory days of USC football and the great quarterbacks that have come through the program, like Carson Palmer (Heisman Trophy winner), Matt Leinart (Heisman Trophy winner), and Mark Sanchez.

The hype machine and preseason scrutiny around the USC football program is among the highest in college football history. The video does nothing to shy away from the scrutiny and pressure. As a matter of fact, it embraces it. And that’s precisely how Lincoln Riley has sounded in his interviews from the second he was hired. He knows the drill. Everybody knows the second he signed the $110 million contract; he signed up for the never-ending amount of pressure and scrutiny that’s going to come his way. When asked about whether or not the sky-high expectations were fair or not this offseason, Riley seemed unfazed.

“Not my place to say whether they’re fair or not. Like I said in my opening press conference, before even one of these players had come in, I mean, you don’t come to USC and you don’t come to Los Angeles to do things small. You got to set your sights big. I don’t think it’s too much. I don’t. I believe in what we’re doing. I believe in what we’re teaching. I believe in the people that we have in there,” Riley said.

He wasted little time in raiding the transfer portal for two of the nation’s most coveted offensive weapons in former Oklahoma quarterback Caleb Williams and the 2021 Biletnikoff Award winner, Jordan Addison. They’re going to be a spectacular tandem to watch work together this season, that’s for sure.

Year one of the Lincoln Riley era for USC football is only a few short days away. And it’s going to be fascinating to watch this team this year and beyond.

The No. 14 USC Trojans kick off their 2022 campaign against the Rice Owls on Saturday, Sept. 3. Kickoff for that one is slated for 6:00 PM EST on ABC.