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The USC Trojans still have yet to qualify for the College Football Playoff under coach Lincoln Riley but Riley’s fifth season seems different. With recruiting gaining significant traction and the return of quarterback Jayden Maiava, some pundits are already looking ahead to next season with much optimism for USC's College Football Playoff hopes.
This includes CBS Sports’ Cody Nagel, who ranked the Trojans at No. 11.
“After a few seasons of ups and downs, Lincoln Riley's fifth year in Los Angeles is when USC finally puts it all together," Nagel wrote. "Quarterback Jayden Maiava returns for his senior season, while the 2026 class of transfers and recruits adds immediate-impact players. If Riley's high-powered offense clicks early and Gary Patterson stabilizes the defense, USC could reach the CFP -- even with games against five of the other six Big Ten teams ranked in [Brandon] Marcello's way-too-early top 25.”
The Trojans have some must-circle games, including a rematch against the Oregon Ducks Sept. 26.
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“The Ducks would face a mountainous climb back into the playoff and league title picture if they fall to the Trojans in Los Angeles," ” Brad Crawford wrote. "It's equally important for USC and coach Lincoln Riley, who's entering a contract year of sorts. This is the Big Ten opener for Dan Lanning and his new look staff and hiring from within and promoting two assistants to fill each coordinator spot."
The Trojans have a few other games that could determine their playoff fate, including a road test against Penn State ( an October matchup against the Ohio State Buckeyes and a mid-November game vs. the Indiana Hoosiers.
The Trojans open their nonconference schedule against the Fresno State Bulldogs (pending they don't find a Week 0 game the week prior) and Louisiana Ragin’ Cajun Sept. 5 and Sep. 12 before beginning Big Ten play against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights Sept. 19.
“I think you’re always out for something to prove and have to have that edge and that competitive just juice about you and about a program,” Riley told On3. “And so, I’m excited about, you know, we were able last year to win games a lot of different ways, different styles of the game. We were in, obviously, all kinds of different weather, you know, kind of weather situations throughout the year. We just, we, we overcame a lot.”
With plenty of time still remaining before the season gets underway, Riley has every reason to remain confident in his team with who they have returning.
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We’ll see how the off-season progresses.
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