"They can't throw" - Detroit Lions' Amon-Ra St. Brown fuels USC vs. Michigan rivalry while expressing trust in Lincoln Riley
USC Trojans coach Lincoln Riley is looking to rebound after a disappointing 2023 season in which his team had a 7-5 regular season record despite having the then-reigning Heisman Trophy winner, Caleb Williams, as their starting QB. The Trojans' move to the Big Ten in conference realignment has given Riley a chance to improve upon last season.
One of those ways will come in the form of a heavyweight clash against the reigning national champions, coach Sherrone Moore's Michigan Wolverines on September 21 when the Trojans travel to Ann Arbor.
Former USC wide receiver and current Detroit Lions star Amon-Ra St. Brown fueled the rivalry between USC and Michigan during an appearance on "Bussin With the Boys" podcast alongside Will Compton and Taylor Lewan.
St. Brown downplayed the chances of the Wolverines being a threat to USC because they lost many players to the 2024 NFL Draft, and claimed that they were an easy team to defend against.
“I love the move. We’re not worried about the Big 10 though," said St. Brown. "We’re on the West Coast. All Michigan wants to do is run it. Just pack the box, they can’t throw. Make them throw. It’s all good. Harbaugh’s gone now. It’s over. I don’t know if we’re (Trojans) gonna run it (the Big Ten), but it’s gonna be fun. I know Michigan’s done. They had their one shot, it’s over with," he said.
Lincoln Riley addresses the state of the USC program
USC coach Lincoln Riley hired D'Anton Lynn as defensive coordinator after firing Alex Grinch due to the Trojans' defensive woes last season. Lynn previously served as defensive coordinator for UCLA in 2023.
During the Big Ten media days, Riley addressed the concerns over whether his project was going in the right direction.
"We took over this thing a few years ago knowing what it would take to build," Lincoln Riley said. "We made some pretty significant staff changes this year, and the early returns on that have been great, but this stuff also takes time, especially in recruiting.
"Relationships, especially for a lot of top prospects, are years in the making, so we're headed in a great direction. I know everybody wants everything to be fixed right away all at once, but that's living in a fantasy land. We're not where we want to be right now, but we're not far off and we're not slowing down."
Lincoln Riley will be working to turn the program around as they play in a new conference in 2024.