The sophomore transfer from UNLV, promoted to QB1 largely to determine if he’s the answer for USC going forward, provided plenty of evidence to suggest so.

Lincoln Riley needs to approach the final stretch of the season as if he's coaching for his USC life, and Jayden Maiava could be the player who saves him.

While the Jayden Maiava angle is a positive one, and while USC is now closer to getting a bowl bid -- which means December practices essential to improving the roster for 2025, a very important thing -- we can't ignore the deeper problem surrounding the Trojans: They are not a well-coached football team.