The Rutgers Test
The 2026 season looms as a pivotal year for the USC Trojans, a program that has already begun to reshape its identity under head coach Lincoln Riley. In his fifth year at the helm, Riley has cemented his reputation as an offensive architect, and the Trojans are poised to leverage that strength while addressing the defensive lapses that held them back last year.
At the center of the offense is quarterback Jayden Maiava, who burst onto the scene with a conference‑leading 3,711 passing yards in 2025. His chemistry with a fully intact line — Tobias Raymond, Justin Tauanuu, Alani Noa, Elijah Page and Kilian O’Connor — provides a solid foundation for a ground game that saw running backs Waymond Jordan and King Miller combine for a 6.3‑yard average per carry.
The departure of key playmakers such as Makai Lemon and Ja’Kobi Lane, who together accounted for 128 receptions and nearly 1,900 yards, leaves a void in the receiving corps. USC will need to replace those big‑play threats, and the early signs suggest the coaching staff is exploring both internal development and strategic additions.
Defensively, the Trojans finished 49th nationally in 2025, a statistic that prompted the hiring of Gary Patterson as defensive coordinator. Patterson brings a reputation for tightening up third‑down conversions, a category where opponents succeeded at over 40% last season. Returners like Desman Stephens II, Kameryn Crawford and Braylan Shelby offer continuity, while new transfers Terrell Anderson from N.C. State and Zuriah Fisher from Penn State are expected to inject fresh talent.
All eyes will be on the Trojans when they open Week 3 against Rutgers. The matchup promises a high‑scoring affair, with analysts projecting USC could eclipse 40 points if the offense clicks and the defense finally clicks into place.