Well, it doesn't matter what running play you are using when you add a read to it you are effectively taking one player off the field on defense because they are always going to be wrong. That said, counter trey(or gt counter) has been around long before the Caleb Williams' of the world, and should still work as it is meant to get numbers on one side of the field. In this case the backside DE whom they are reading shouldn't be able to chase down the play from behind regardless if the QB isn't a runner. For Riley, the problem is his teams aren't physical. No matter what they run. When USC runs up against capable, physical defenses linemen are pulling and getting stood up. People aren't defeating their blocks. They are just losing at the point of attack. Case in point, vs ND USC RBs ran 20 times for 73 yards which is 3.65 yards per. That is already bad, but when you add in that of those 73 yards there was one big 31 yard run that makes it 19 carries for 42 yards, or 2.2 per. That's horrible. Notre Dame is 51st in rushing yards allowed per game.