Lincoln Riley has not been intentional about building USC defense

One of the biggest rivalry games in the Pac-12 will take place in Week 11 of the college football season when the Oregon Ducks host the USC Trojans. To discuss the rivalry in all its glory and splendor, On3’s resident college football expert Andy Staples brought in former star offensive lineman for the Ducks Geoff Schwartz.

On Tuesday’s episode of the Andy Staples On3 Podcast, the two discussed the recent coaching change for USC at defensive coordinator. And Schwartz was anything but gentle when discussing the Trojans’ shortcomings on defense this season.

“Anyone with half a brain could have told you what was happening with USC’s defense this season,” said Schwartz. “They’re actually worse than I thought they would be. This is a defense that’s not built with the core tenets of what you need to be successful on defense: A. You need size.

“You need big football players. They have little football players. Even Bear Alexander, who is really good, he’s like 6’3, 300lbs. I mean, that’s like a small NFL D tackle; that’s a small player. If you’re that small, you better be Aaron Donald, super explosive, (and) get off the ball. Mason Cobb was outstanding at Oklahoma State. Comes to USC; can’t tackle a soul.”

Schwartz, who spent six years in the NFL after being drafted by the Carolina Panthers in the seventh round of the 2008 NFL Draft, highlights both mental and physical aspects of how he believes the USC coaching staff shortchanged their defense. The first part for the former Oregon standout is in the size department. Of the defensive players the Trojans have on the roster, only three of their defensive linemen are north of 300, including Alexander. As for linebacker Mason Cobb, his game appears to have taken a step back since his days at Oklahoma State. Still, the senior linebacker is on pace to finish the season with 52 solo tackles and 94 total tackles, just a few shy of his 58 and 96 mark for the Cowboys in 2022.

While everyone played a role in the lack of success that USC had on defense this season, Schwartz ultimately puts the blame on head coach Lincoln Riley. While former defensive coordinator Alex Grinch ultimately fell on the sword and has been let go by the program, Schwartz believes Riley’s lack of being intentional in building his defense was the ultimate downfall.

Like part of it is, you have to be intentional with wanting to be good on defense. It starts with practice habits, (and) weight room habits. I’m not accusing USC of not lifting weights, but you have to be intentional with how you build your defense, and Lincoln Riley has not done that.

“Yeah, it’s Alex Grinch’s fault, I get it,” said Schwartz. “But it’s also the head guy; it’s his job. His job is to make it intentional that you want to be physical and violent… The issue I have with USC’s defense is they do too much like moving around.”

On Saturday, fans and Schwartz will get their first glimpse of the USC defense without Grinch running the show. Their first test is a doozy as Oregon is home to Heisman-hopeful quarterback Bo Nix and an offensive line that has bullied opposing defenses into submission while averaging the nation’s best points per game mark of 47.7.