Leave it to the USC students, skilled at spotting a phony, to know what they were seeing.

Someone who keeps skating by with a D in pass-fail courses.

An individual who is constantly served at the commissary without a meal card.

A person who takes credit for a spotless corner in an otherwise-filthy dorm room.

Sizing up the situation early in the third quarter Saturday at the Coliseum, those USC students rendered their verdict.

“Fire Lincoln!” they chanted, after it became clear their Trojans were in for an unexpected fight against an undermanned team.

“Fire Lincoln!” they continued, after the offense sputtered and the defense acted like it was playing two-hand tag.

“Fire Lincoln!” they concluded, after once again watching the same slop led by the same coach.

As one longtime observer of USC football under Lincoln Riley said when it was over, the Trojans having somehow prevailed for a meritless 25-21 victory over Washington, the takeaway is frequently that he can’t believe the Trojans won — or lost — after way too many games.

When the Trojans win it’s often in undeserving fashion after a slipshod showing.

When they lose it’s often to teams that have no business being within a touchdown of the Trojans.

This is the sign of a program that rarely does what it should under the circumstances. One that is adrift, without an identity or a credible leader. One that needs massive juice boxes hoisted on the sideline to generate energy.

USC was at it again Saturday under Lincoln Michael Riley.

Needing a last-minute defensive stop to prevail against a team down to its fourth-string running back, the Trojans celebrated as if they had won something meaningful.

Defensive coordinator Gary Patterson exchanged a hug and a hand slap in the press box as if he was headed to the College Football Playoff.

Riley spoke of “a lot to be excited about” and being “proud of fighting” after his offense repeatedly had trouble simply lining up in a legal formation.

Only quarterback Jayden Maiava, who sprinted off the field before looking like he would rather be anywhere else than talking about this game afterward, exhibited any sort of disappointment.

Maybe like his vocal classmates in the stands, Maiava knows what he’s seeing.

This column is not intended to call for Riley’s job; it’s to question what school officials think they’re getting by sticking with him or whether anyone truly believes this season will end in the CFP.

A quick recap of the Trojans’ last four games should provide a primer on what’s ahead.

Gave up 30 points at home to Louisiana.

Nearly got toppled on the road against Rutgers.

Folded in the fourth quarter against Oregon.

Needed an epic rally against Washington.

Does this sound like the resume of one of the nation’s top 12 teams? Should it inspire confidence that Year 5 under Riley is any different than what preceded it?

At this point, a 7-5 finish feels more likely than 10-2.

Consider the schedule ahead. Having played five of its first six games at home, USC (5-1) now must finish with four of six on the road, where every previous season under Riley has gone to die.

Remember Utah in 2022? Or Notre Dame and Oregon in 2023? How about Michigan, Minnesota, Maryland and Washington in 2024? And what of Illinois, Notre Dame and Oregon in 2025?

Any road to redemption in 2026 must start with back-to-back victories at Penn State and Wisconsin, two of the nation’s most unforgiving environments.

The Nittany Lions will greet the Trojans with a “White Out” that could turn into a whitewash. The Badgers could roast the Trojans like one more beer-marinated brat on the grill.

Even a split of those games — the most likely scenario — likely dooms USC’s CFP hopes given the final stretch. The Trojans must play Ohio State at home before facing Indiana and UCLA on the road.

That’s two, and possibly three, more losses. Is anyone really taking Riley and the Trojans over Curt Cignetti and the Hoosiers at this point?

Even Bob Chesney’s Bruins, in their first season under the coach, appear to be a far more cohesive outfit with a much higher upside.

Give Riley credit for one thing — his players appeared to leave those silly juice boxes untouched on the sideline Saturday.

That left the student section to pump up the volume when it came to this team and the man in charge.

“Fire Lincoln!”

If they’re out on Lincoln Riley, who’s still in?