The Trojans surge into the 2026 season with sky-high expectations—will Lincoln Riley finally deliver a College Football Playoff breakthrough? With less than 100 days until kickoff, national media and anonymous Big Ten coaches are bullish on the Trojans’ playoff prospects, ramping up the pressure on Riley and his newly fortified roster.

Marc Kulkin spotlights USC’s offensive improvements, including a dominant returning offensive line and stars like Jayden Maiava, King Miller, and Waymond Jordan. Defensive questions remain, but Gary Patterson’s arrival marks a culture shift towards accountability and toughness. Who will emerge as the featured back, and is Maiava ready to win big on the road? Player-run practices, recruiting wins, and a loaded defensive front led by Jamaal “Jay” Jarrett and rising talents like Jakeem Stewart set the stage for a transformative season in Los Angeles. Is it playoffs or bust for the Trojans this year?

#USCTrojans #USCFootball #USCRecruiting #NotreDame #NCAA #LincolnRiley #KingMiller #WaymondJordan #Jayden Maiava #OhioState #Oregon, #BigTenfootball #USCrecruiting #Collegefootballplayoffs #EricMusselman

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