Paul Finebaum Puts Prominent Big Ten Head Coach On The Hot Seat

SEC college football analyst Paul Finebaum did not mince words when describing the type of season Lincoln Riley and the USC Trojans endured in 2023. One year later, Finebaum said it’s ‘downright weird’ to see them represented at Big Ten media days, but that’s something he had to get used to one week earlier when watching the Texas Longhorns and Oklahoma Sooners at the SEC Kickoff.

Navigating the Big Ten will be a challenge according to Finebaum. He says Riley will have to prove himself this year as Finebaum suggests he might be on the hot seat.

“Last year was terrible, and there’s noise according to some people about his future,” he said before asking Heather Dinich what she thinks about his team.

Dinich said they could start the season with some momentum if they can win against LSU early. That’s something that certainly helped Florida State’s cause in 2023 before Jordan Travis went down with a season-ending injury.

Riley won’t have Caleb Williams to lean on this season. If his defense can live up to expectations, he might have fewer job concerns to worry about. If it doesn’t, then Finebaum might have a point.

Related: Paul Finebaum Identifies Must-Win Game For Michigan’s College Football Playoff Hopes