Paul Finebaum Trending After Whiffing Badly on USC-LSU Prediction

Paul Finebaum predicted LSU would beat USC so handily in their opening clash on Sunday that everyone could go to bed early.

He couldn't have been more wrong, and Trojan backers are letting him know.

Finebaum forecasted in mid-August that LSU would roll past USC and it'd be the beginning of the end for head coach Lincoln Riley. It was one of multiple shots the SEC Network analyst has taken at Riley recently.

"I think that's where it starts to unravel for Lincoln," Finebaum said on ESPN's First Take . "I totally expect Lincoln Riley to show what an average coach he is. I think that game, people will be able to turn off the TV and go to sleep early that night because it won't be that close."

Instead, the Trojans showed grit, besting the Tigers 27-20 on a touchdown with 8 seconds remaining. USC racked up 447 yards of offense, didn't turn the ball over and secured the victory.

"Wonder what excuse Finebaum going to say this week…" USC great Matt Leinart wrote on X after the win.

Others also weighed in with some harsh words for Finebaum.

"Hey Paul Finebaum…from everyone in the college football community, shut up," a fan wrote .

Another said: So glad (USC) won the way (Finebaum) was hating & disrespecting Lincoln Riley all week. Eat a ... Paul Finebaum!!"

Riley took the high road in his postgame press conference.

“I don’t coach for the media. I don’t coach for headlines," Riley said . "We just try to do what’s best in our program, and we just try to stay incredibly committed to it.”

Riley and the Trojans will try to move to 2-0 next week against Utah State.

Related: Robert Griffin III Makes Feelings Clear on USC QB Miller Moss After LSU Heroics