Apostolic succession is pretty simple. After the Apostles died, the churches were ruled by a succession of bishops. In many places, including Rome, the succession can be traced back to the beginning. No more remarkable than the statement that the kings of France can be traced back to..... The question of authority is something else. Luther et al. had the need to justify their rejection of Roman authority and the authority of local bishops in union with Rome.
No it can't. Show any historical documented proof that Linus was even as much as a Bishop in Rome.