Lincoln Riley to USC is Good For The Pac 12, Despite Your Gut Saying Otherwise

 So here we are. The last day in November. The College Football coaching Carousel is nuts right now. Lincoln Riley  heading to USC is not bad for the other 11 teams in College Football, I actually believe it benefits the Pac 12 and the College Football landscape in general. 

Take the SEC for example for the last 15 years. Florida, Alabama, LSU and now Georgia have all taken major stab at being the best team since the 2001 Miami Hurricanes. All of those teams since 2006 have had there share of disappointment. Alabama went 6-7 in 2006 if you can believe it. 

The point is, these strong programs have elevated the performance of their rivals to the point Alabama might go 10-2 and be in the College Football Playoff. The Pac 12 is weak this year and it has been since about 2005. The year Oregon went to the BCS National Championship game in 2011, Washington went 6-6 and got a invite to the Holiday Bowl. Traditionally, the conferences second biggest bowl game. 

It's hard to improve when your conference is looked at like an afterthought unless USC is in the Top 10. Riley might steal a few recruits that Oregon would have got over the years but Oregon will have an easier time recruiting nationally if the Pac 12 is a strong conference. Things will even themselves out. 

Kalen DeBoer is another hire by Washington that will make Oregon's SOS higher. Remember the year when Auburn beat Alabama and Alabama still won the National Title? It was 2017. Not saying Oregon fans want to lose to Washington and still win the Natty but most Ducks fans I imagine would take that trade off. 

Oregon is 10-2 this year and the general consensus is that we have underachieved. Believe me I understand there have been frustrating times but the feeling should also be welcomed. Over 100 schools would love to have a year Oregon is having. 

I can't tell you what will happen Friday night but just know that good things will continue to happen. We had a 4-8 year in 2016 and recovered fast. If Cristobal leaves, we will find someone better. Stop worrying and enjoy the ride. We have it pretty good!