USC’s Historical Footprint in College Football
USA TODAY’s latest all‑time college football rankings place the University of Southern California at No. 10, a spot that reflects both the Trojans’ storied past and the challenges they have faced in recent years. The list, compiled by a panel of sportswriters including Paul Myerberg, Blake Topmeyer, Jordan Mendoza and Eddie Timanus, highlights USC’s legacy while acknowledging the program’s current trajectory under new leadership.
During Pete Carroll’s tenure the Trojans dominated the Pac‑12, capturing multiple conference titles and earning a reputation as a powerhouse that regularly appeared in bowl games and national conversations. That era set a high bar that has proven difficult to sustain as the program navigated a move to the Big Ten and a series of coaching changes.
In 2025 USC posted a nine‑win season and secured a top‑ranked recruiting class, signaling that the program still possesses talent capable of competing at a high level. Yet the team has yet to break through to the College Football Playoff, and the transition to a new conference has added uncertainty about how the rankings are being evaluated.
Riley’s New Chapter
Lincoln Riley, who took over as head coach in 2024, brings a fresh offensive philosophy and a clear vision for restoring the Trojans to the top tier of the sport. His partnership with athletic director Pat Haden has already resulted in upgraded facilities and a more aggressive recruiting strategy, elements that could accelerate the team’s ascent.
The coaching staff’s ambition is explicit: to capture the program’s first College Football Playoff appearance and reclaim a place among the nation’s elite. If the early indicators hold, USC could soon rewrite the narrative that has lingered since its Pac‑12 heyday.
Whether the rankings reflect all‑time greatness or recent performance remains a point of debate, but the consensus among analysts is that USC belongs in the conversation for the top five programs in college football history. The coming season may finally provide the proof that the rankings have been hinting at.