The Road to the Playoff
The USC Trojans are projected to finish the 2026 regular season with a 9‑3 record, a mark that places them squarely on the edge of the College Football Playoff picture. A 9‑3 finish would give them the win total needed to attract playoff committee attention, but the path to that record is anything but straightforward.
CBS Sports’ latest forecast predicts victories over San Jose State, Fresno State, Louisiana, Rutgers, Washington, Penn State, Wisconsin and Maryland, while the Trojans are expected to stumble against Oregon, Ohio State and Indiana. Those three losses would shape the team’s overall narrative and could determine whether they finish among the top four.
What makes this schedule especially demanding is that it represents the toughest Big Ten slate the Trojans have faced since their entry into the conference in 2024, featuring perennial powerhouses and emerging contenders alike. The conference schedule is a crucible that will test the team’s depth and resilience week after week.
Oregon has dominated the recent head‑to‑head series, having beaten USC in each of the past four meetings dating back to 2019, a streak that adds extra pressure to their upcoming clash. The Ducks, who have made the College Football Playoff the past two seasons, arrive as a formidable obstacle.
Ohio State arrives as the defending national champion, having captured the 2024‑25 title and returning to the playoff the following season. Their reputation as a playoff regular makes their matchup a litmus test for the Trojans’ championship aspirations.
Indiana, the 2025 undefeated champions, enter the mix as another elite opponent, underscoring the high calibre of competition the Trojans will encounter throughout the season.
Adding another layer of intrigue, Penn State’s program has a new head coach, Matt Campbell, who previously steered Iowa State to several successful seasons, promising a fresh tactical approach that could reshape the conference dynamics.
Key Matchups to Watch
The upcoming clash with Ohio State, a team that has reached the playoff in each of the past two seasons, is expected to be a decisive moment for the Trojans. Meanwhile, the rivalry with Oregon, marked by four consecutive losses, will likely influence the team’s confidence heading into the latter part of the schedule.
All of these storylines converge on a pivotal season for the Trojans, whose performance in the Big Ten will likely determine whether they secure a playoff berth or fall short of expectations.