Lincoln Riley has put No. 11 USC back on the map since taking over as the program’s head coach in 2022.

As the Trojans prepare for their Week 4 matchup against No. 17 Michigan on the road, Riley was asked about past comparisons he’s made between the USC squad he is building and the Wolverines program that is coming off a national championship season in 2023.

“I think in the beginning there was,” Riley said in a Tuesday press conference. “It’s two iconic programs, two blue blood programs, two programs that had been down. They had both some ups and downs right when Jim (Harbaugh) got there, a lot of people on the outside thought they weren’t going to be able to turn it around, but the thing I respect most about them is they stayed very true and committed to their process and ignored everybody on the outside that thought they deserved an opinion.”

With Harbaugh now gone, it’s safe to say USC is now ahead of Michigan as the Wolverines are trying to re-define their identity, while the Trojans appear to be one of the best teams in the country.

Riley spent the offseason focusing on improving one of the worst defenses in the country by adding talent through the transfer portal and on the recruiting trail and it’s paid off after two weeks into the season. The biggest question for USC heading into 2024 was focused on the quarterback position, with former Heisman winner Caleb Williams leaving for the NFL.

It appears as if Riley has worked his magic yet again, with Junior QB Miller Moss throwing for 607 yards, 2 touchdowns and no interceptions after 2 games. Riley has a long track record of developing quarterbacks from Kyler Murray to Williams and Moss appears to be the next great QB to thrive under his leadership.

Michigan was exposed by Texas on Saturday and appears to be trending downward with Harbaugh — and much of the 2023 championship roster — now gone.

The Wolverines still have some pieces on defenses to keep them competitive against top-tier opponents, but first-year head coach Sherrone Moore hasn’t found an answer on the offensive side of the ball, with Davis Warren struggling in his first year as the team’s starting QB.

Riley acknowledged there are major differences between the two programs now, but didn’t go into specifics.

“There’s obviously some big differences, but I don’t get into big picture stuff during the season,” Riley concluded.

USC and Michigan are slated for a 3:30 pm ET kickoff next Saturday.