Saturday Blitz
Fansided

5 coaches whose jobs will be saved this year by the 12-team CFP in 2024

By Josh Yourish

Penn State head football coach James Franklin yells from the sideline during the second half of an NCAA football game against Michigan at Beaver Stadium Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023, in State College, Pa.
Penn State head football coach James Franklin yells from the sideline during the second half of an NCAA football game against Michigan at Beaver Stadium Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023, in State College, Pa. /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
5 of 5
Next
Oct 28, 2023; Berkeley, California, USA; USC Trojans head coach Lincoln Riley reacts after a penalty during the third quarter against the California Golden Bears at California Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 28, 2023; Berkeley, California, USA; USC Trojans head coach Lincoln Riley reacts after a penalty during the third quarter against the California Golden Bears at California Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports /

Lincoln Riley, USC

Lincoln Riley’s inclusion on this list would have seemed unthinkable just four months ago. He has the reigning Heisman Trophy winner at quarterback and in just his first season at USC, he took the Trojans to the Cotton Bowl and a No. 10 finish in the CFP rankings.

After an 11-3 season, Riley’s seat is already heating up with the Trojans at 7-4 through Week 11. Caleb Williams has seemingly regressed and has become turnover-prone behind a shaky offensive line and USC is 123rd in total defense, 109th in opponent yards per play, and 124th in scoring defense, allowing 34.5 points a game.

Riley already fired his longtime defensive coordinator, Alex Grinch, but if it wasn’t for the expanded 12-team playoff he could be next. USC will be patient with Riley, who was billed as the program’s savior, but his stock has never been lower than it is right now.

Home/College Football Playoff