College football: 3 second-year coaches who could win 2023 national title

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Dec 2, 2022; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Southern California Trojans head coach Lincoln Riley reacts against the Utah Utes in the first half of the Pac-12 Championship at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

1. Lincoln Riley, USC

You had to know the visor-wearing head coach from the West Coast was going to be No. 1. Avert your eyes, Oklahoma fans, Lincoln Riley is arguably in the best position in his coaching career to win a national title thanks to Caleb Williams and the perks of coaching at a blue blood like USC.

The Trojans will have the most talented roster in the Pac-12 next season with the Heisman Trophy winner returning at quarterback and they have the best chance to make the playoff.

Sure, the Pac-12 is loaded for the first time in recent memory with teams like Oregon, Oregon State, Utah, UCLA, and Washington all posing serious threats to win the conference title. Any one of those teams could take the Pac-12 crown, but USC will be the favorite.

And why wouldn’t they be under Riley?

The Trojans have one of the best recruiting classes in the country coming in along with a dangerous roster that nearly made the playoff last year but Utah denied them twice.

I think this USC team can not only run the table but push the SEC for a national title.

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