USC's Lincoln Riley Criticizes Schedule, Talks 'Challenges' of Noon Game vs. Illinois

No. 21 USC's road matchup against No. 23 Illinois will kick off at noon on Saturday, and Trojans head coach Lincoln Riley isn't happy with the start time.

While speaking to reporters on Thursday, Riley discussed the "challenges" of going from a late-night home game to an early East Coast game the following week.

"We've had to adapt a little bit in the way that we've prepared and how much that we've done," Riley said. "... It compounds if you're not careful. So we've tried to be mindful of getting our work done but at the same time knowing that we need to put a fresh football team on the airplane."

Through the first four games of the season, USC is undefeated and is averaging 52.5 points per game. The Trojans will be facing a 3-1 Illini squad that is coming off a 63-10 loss to No. 19 Indiana.

Riley is trying to bring USC back to prominence after a disappointing run in which the team fell short of the 10-win mark in each of the last two years, so it's understandable that he has a gripe with the schedule. Things won't get easier for the Trojans anytime soon, as they will face No. 19 Michigan and No. 22 Notre Dame following Saturday's ranked matchup against the Illini.