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12 coaches under the most pressure to make the 12-team playoff in 2024

Which FBS coaches are under the most pressure heading into the 2024 season with expectations that they will lead their programs to the new 12-team College Football Playoffs?

By Sam Fariss

Dec 2, 2023; Atlanta, GA, USA; Georgia Bulldogs head coach Kirby Smart.
Dec 2, 2023; Atlanta, GA, USA; Georgia Bulldogs head coach Kirby Smart. / Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
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7. Lincoln Riley

Nov 18, 2023; Los Angeles, California, USA; USC Trojans head coach Lincoln Riley.
Nov 18, 2023; Los Angeles, California, USA; USC Trojans head coach Lincoln Riley. / Jason Parkhurst-USA TODAY Sports

Going into his third year with the USC Trojans, head coach Lincoln Riley will be without his Heisman-winning quarterback Caleb Williams.

Coaching behind Williams at USC and fellow Heisman winner Kyler Murray at Oklahoma, Riley has produced a fairly impressive record of 74-18 overall.

However, without a Heisman winner on the field, can Riley maintain his previous success?

Even with Williams at quarterback in 2023, the Trojans finished at 8-5 with big losses to Notre Dame, Utah, Washington, Oregon, and (shockingly) UCLA.

However, Riley and backup quarterback Miller Moss were able to turn it around in the team’s bowl game as the Trojans defeated Lousiville.

Riley better hope Moss can continue to be his next man up as the Trojans enter the highly competitive Big Ten Conference.

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