Lincoln Riley and Caleb Williams have been together for three seasons. Saturday night at the Coliseum against USC could be their last game as a coach-quarterback duo.

Williams will be eligible to enter the 2024 NFL Draft. As the presumptive top pick, it would certainly not surprise anyone if Williams opted not to play in USC’s bowl game — though no decision on that front has been made.

With Senior Day approaching for the Trojans, Riley was asked this week if he’d spent much time thinking about this potentially being Williams’ final game in a USC uniform.

“I haven’t thought about that that much,” Riley said. “Just kind of in the moment here. We haven’t had any specific discussions towards it. … We’ve both just stayed hyper-focused on trying to do our jobs and be at our best and try to win a rivalry game this week. It’s honestly been kind of business as normal this week.”

Williams hasn’t publicly revealed which way he’s leaning. He could return next season. Some reports over the last few months have suggested that’s more of a possibility than one would expect for a guy projected to be the No. 1 overall pick.

USC has an open week over Thanksgiving. That will afford Williams some time to discuss with his family and talk with Riley.

Riley said Thursday he likes to educate players on what to expect if they decide to enter the draft. He’ll be honest about whether he thinks they are ready for the jump to the NFL or not. If pressed, he’ll answer what he would do in their shoes.

He will not ask Williams to stay at USC for his own interest, though.

“That part’s been always easy for me because I do very much care about my players. Guys that have come through our program that have done well and are ready to take that next step, I’ve never shied away from advising them on that,” Riley said.

“If guys have come here, they’ve done a great job at USC, they’ve positioned themselves to make the jump at a time that makes sense, and if they are what I believe (to be) ready, which is the No. 1 key to all of this … I have no problem recommending it.”

Williams could certainly help USC next season. He can do that from the NFL, too, according to Riley.

“If our guys leave at the right time and go do well, that’s gonna help SC just as much as somebody staying here and playing one more year,” the head coach said.