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USC coach Lincoln Riley makes bold claim, says USC is ready to win ‘championships’

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Lincoln Riley’s tenure as head coach of the USC Trojans has not lived up to expectations.

While there have been flashes of brilliance, primarily during the 2022 season, his first in LA, SC has yet to reach the College Football Playoff, or compete for a Big Ten Championship. Some of that can be blamed on Riley, as the Trojans’ defense was, to put it mildly, atrocious during his first two years on the job.

Some of the underperformance, however, can also be blamed on USC’s complete lack of preparation for name, image, and likeness-based recruiting.

Despite the wealthy alumni base, location in Los Angeles, and historic success, SC’s athletic department, coaching staff, and donor base were not aligned properly when NIL came into effect. And recruiting suffered. After putting up classes perennially in the top 10 of national rankings, SC dropped to #18 and #15 in 2024 and 2025 respectively. Unsurprisingly, per most analytics-based rankings, that’s just about where the team finished nationally in overall success rate.

Well, thanks to a new general manager, Chad Bowden, better coordination, and weaponizing that prolific donor base, SC brought in the #1 recruiting class in the country for 2026. And Riley is already making some bold claims about it.

“We’re excited Jim, you know, I think this will be the most complete roster that we’ve had here at USC,” Riley said to Jim Rome on a recent episode of “The Jim Rome Show. “We return some really good productive players that we think are teed up to be the best they’ve been in their career, including some positions that historically you would say, ‘hey, this is pretty important’ in terms of returning production at quarterback, offensive line, running back, defensive line.”

Riley explained that it’s not just the returning talent that has him excited, it’s the “great class” they brought in.

“We’ve got, you know, we’ve got quite a bit there, which is exciting starting piece,” he continued. “And then, you know, we brought in a great class. We signed the number one recruiting class in the country.

“You know, it’s been great to get up the majority of those guys here for spring ball. And so that combination from a roster standpoint is excited. And we’ve just gotten a little bit better every single year.”

Riley went a bit further though, saying that this class and the returning talent have them in position to compete for “championships” at USC. 

“I think it’s caused for a lot of optimism,” he said. “So yeah, I can’t wait for this season to come up. You know, we came here to win championships. You know, that’s why you come to USC. And we feel like this group is certainly prepared and positioned to do that.”

There’s little doubt that this is Riley’s best roster at SC. The recruiting class, a good transfer class, and important players returning at key positions. Another year of development for Jayden Maiava, Jakheem Stewart, incredible running backs, and so on. The problem is that until SC wins a big game against a marquee opponent that they weren’t “supposed” to win, no one will take him seriously. Yes, Riley beat Notre Dame with Caleb Williams, and had a big win over Michigan at the Coliseum in 2025. But the schedule in 2026 is daunting.

Ohio State, Oregon, and Washington in LA. Penn State, Indiana, and Wisconsin on the road. Plus the rivalry game against UCLA at the Rose Bowl. In order to seriously compete for “championships,” Riley needs to beat Ohio State and Oregon, or one of those two plus Indiana and/or Penn State on the road. Having a talented roster is one thing. Delivering on that talent is another. Do that, then start talking.

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Ex-CENTCOM commander warns against ‘risky’ US ground operation to seize Iran’s enriched uranium

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Ret. U.S. Army Gen. David Petraeus said assassinating more of Iran’s leadership will not end ongoing issues while warning against a U.S. ground operation to seize Iran’s stockpile of enriched uranium.

“This would be a very, very tall order, it would be exceedingly risky. And the casualties could potentially be quite substantial,” he said Monday on “Jesse Watters Primetime.”

“Assassinating a few more leaders is not going to bring this issue to a close,” he added.

Petraeus’ comments come as the two-week ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran is set to expire Wednesday, with President Donald Trump asserting an extension is “very unlikely.”

US SEIZES IRANIAN SHIP AFTER OPENING FIRE; PAKISTAN TALKS IN DOUBT

The former CENTCOM commander, who led troops into battle during the American-led invasion of Iraq in 2003, said the deployment of U.S. ground troops to Iran would be very risky.

“We’re not really sure where these canisters are, of this thousand pounds of 60 percent enriched uranium,” he said. “They’re going to have to excavate very, very substantially. And by the way, that’s what makes the idea of a forced ground operation very, very challenging.” 

Petraeus noted that while Iran has felt the damage of the United States’ military campaign, the regime is not hopeless.

“They’ve seen lots and lots of damage that we can inflict,” he said.

“They know what we can do… They’re also trying to figure out how much they can give on these other issues that traditionally have been very, very difficult to negotiate.”

IRAN REVERSES COURSE ON OPENING STRAIT OF HORMUZ AS HARDLINERS TAKE FRONT SEAT IN TEHRAN

Trump said he will enforce the U.S. naval blockade on Iranian ports until a deal is reached. However, Petraeus said the economic pressure has not made Iran completely hopeless.

“They’re not at the point of desperation,” he argued.

The former CIA director argued that both the U.S. and Iran want the war to end, citing economic challenges that both nations have experienced amid the 52-day conflict.

“I don’t think that either side really wants to return to full-on combat,” Petraeus said. “There has been damage to infrastructure in the Gulf states. And we certainly don’t want to see more of that.”

Vice President JD Vance and senior White House officials are set to depart for Pakistan on Tuesday for a new round of peace talks, though recent reports from Iranian state media cast doubt on such meetings.

“I think both sides, frankly, really do want an agreement,” Petraeus said. “Obviously, there are challenges domestically for us if this continues. Obviously, there are huge challenges for them [Iran] economically and financially if it continues.”

The former CENTCOM commander said the two main points of discussion in the talks will be Iran’s uranium enrichment and the restoration of freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.

“We’ll see if there is trade space,” he said.

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Nancy Sinatra slams Trump’s use of father’s song ‘My Way’ as ‘sacrilege’

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Singer Nancy Sinatra called President Donald Trump’s reference to her father Frank Sinatra’s song “My Way” a “sacrilege.”

On Saturday, Trump posted a video to Truth Social of Frank Sinatra singing his classic song in light of his renewed threats to destroy Iranian infrastructure for the country allegedly violating a ceasefire agreement.

The song begins with the opening lines, “And now/the end is near/And so I face/the final curtain” which resemble Trump’s past threats to destroy the nation.

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“Omg, @NancySinatra will not be happy about this. Trump goes against everything that Frank stood for. He was a big champion for equality and supported the Civil Rights movement,” one person commented on X.

The 85-year-old “These Boots Are Made for Walkin'” singer later responded to this comment, adding, “This is a sacrilege.”

She reposted users’ comments criticizing Trump’s post and use of the song, insisting Frank Sinatra would not agree with Trump’s politics.

PAUL ANKA CONFIRMS LEGENDARY FRANK SINATRA RUMOR THAT MADE HOLLYWOOD BLUSH

“Trump may love Sinatra, but Sinatra did not love Trump,” one person wrote.

“This is just sickening. Frank Sinatra would never have allowed that monster in the White House to use his music or put his lyrics in his mouth. Sinatra was a man of honor, a man who never had to lie about who he truly was because he WAS the greatest. trump is a loser,” another wrote.

Sinatra also responded to a fan asking if she could do anything to stop Trump from using the song.

“Unfortunately no. The only people who can do something are the publishers,” she responded.

OL’ BLUE EYES FRANK SINATRA: A COLLECTION OF PHOTOS AND FACTS

Fox News Digital reached out to the White House for comment.

Trump previously danced with first lady Melania Trump to the song “My Way” at the Liberty Ball after his first inauguration in 2017. At the time, Sinatra joked about the news writing, “Just remember the first line of the song.”

She later deleted the post and denied that she was “angry” that Trump used the song.

“What a rotten spin to put on a harmless joke,” Sinatra tweeted.

She also wrote, “I’m not sure why this became such a big deal. It was really just a joke.”

When asked whether she was upset over her father’s song being used by Trump, Sinatra wrote at the time, “Actually I’m wishing him the best. A good president helps the entire world. I don’t believe anyone tries to be a bad president.”

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Mom, pregnant teen and 12-year-old found bound and murdered as police hunt multiple suspects

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An Alabama woman, her pregnant teenage daughter and her 12-year-old son were found brutally murdered in their home, authorities said.

Mobile County Sheriff Paul Burch said deputies responded to a home in Wilmer just after 2:30 a.m., where they discovered the three bodies in separate rooms with their hands tied behind their backs.

The victims were identified as 46-year-old Lisa Gail Fields, who was stabbed; 17-year-old Keziah Arionna Luker, who was shot; and 12-year-old Thomas Cordelle Jr., who had his throat cut and was nearly decapitated.

“It was a brutal scene,” Burch said. “If you’ve got a beef with an adult… there’s nothing worth killing over, but to murder two children brutally… I hope and feel comfortable we’ll have this animal or animals off the streets soon.”

8 CHILDREN DEAD IN MASS SHOOTING THAT BEGAN AS DOMESTIC DISPUTE, POLICE SAY

An 18-month-old child was found unharmed in the home.

“At this point, we don’t suspect any kind of domestic or family-type situation,” Burch told reporters.

Burch noted that the home was “left in disarray,” suggesting the perpetrators may have been searching for something. Investigators believe more than one person was involved in the killings because the victims had been subdued.

MISSOURI SUSPECT TAKEN INTO CUSTODY AFTER DEPUTY FATALLY SHOT, ENDING MANHUNT

Luker was seven or eight months pregnant, the sheriff added.

“The mother was stabbed, the 17-year-old was shot, and the 12-year-old’s throat was cut as was the mom,” Burch said. “It tells me that they had a plan coming in to bring zip ties or flex cuffs with them so they had a plan.”

The father-to-be, who works offshore, triggered the discovery after he grew concerned when he could not reach Luker after he saw her cell phone activated on Life 360, the sheriff said. Another family member went to check on her and found all three victims in separate rooms with their hands bound behind them.

The Mobile County District Attorney’s Office will determine whether the death of Luker’s unborn child warrants an additional murder charge once a suspect is arrested.

Burch said investigators currently have “positive leads” in the case.

Luker’s father told WALA-TV that his daughter had just received her GED.

“It’s a senseless murder,” he said. “She was a bubble of sunshine. A person that makes you smile; a person that’ll make you laugh whenever you’re down. She had empathy for everybody. She loved her brothers; she loved her mom; she loved all of us.”

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