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Paul Finebaum Urges USC To Pay Lincoln Riley's $70 Million Buyout

ESPN commentator Paul Finebaum sharply criticized USC head coach Lincoln Riley during a broadcast of First Take following a controversial one-game suspension handed down to linebacker Desman Stephens II. Stephens had delivered a dangerous and illegal blow that removed Oregon quarterback Dante Moore from competition.

Finebaum labeled Riley a fraud and demanded his immediate dismissal despite the massive seventy million dollar financial penalty required to break the contract, arguing that the leadership is dragging the institution downward.

Additional criticism arrived from Colin Cowherd, who questioned the culture surrounding the Southern California squad after observing the offending defender laughing and celebrating on the bench following the infraction. Cowherd compared the lax atmosphere unfavorably to more disciplined programs, noting a severe lack of situational awareness and maturity among the players.

While a turnaround remains theoretically possible for the head coach, observers suggest his window to correct the trajectory is rapidly closing.

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