
USC Eyes College Football Playoff Amid Skepticism
Writer John Adams forecasts a playoff berth for USC, while USA TODAY Sports analyst Blake Toppmeyer raises doubts over a demanding slate of opponents.
Latest Slidescroller coverage mentioning Gary Patterson across Football.

Writer John Adams forecasts a playoff berth for USC, while USA TODAY Sports analyst Blake Toppmeyer raises doubts over a demanding slate of opponents.

Phil Steele’s 2026 preseason college football rankings place Notre Dame at the summit, with Oregon, Georgia, Ohio State and Texas rounding out the top five. Key returning players and strategic offseason moves set the stage for a season that promises drama from South Bend to Austin.

A look at coaching mobility, brand power, and the challenges facing Group of 6 programs in today's college football ecosystem.
Blake Toppmeyer and John Adams outline their non‑overlapping picks for the 2026 College Football Playoff, highlighting standout programs and potential challenges.

Lincoln Riley’s USC squad boasts the nation’s No. 1 recruiting class, a revamped defense under Gary Patterson, and a cadre of young stars poised to contend for a national title, according to analyst Brad Crawford.

Coach Lincoln Riley enters his fifth year with the Trojans, bolstered by veteran coordinator Gary Patterson, a top‑ranked recruiting class and a revamped special‑teams staff.

The Trojans, led by coach Lincoln Riley, will host the Ohio State Buckeyes at the Coliseum in a game that could decide their College Football Playoff fate.

The Ducks will battle four distinct offensive and defensive philosophies, each led by a coach with a proven track record of success.

From defensive stalwarts to dynamic playmakers, the latest wave of transfers brings experience and star power to the Big Ten.

With a potent offense already in place, USC turns to veteran defensive architect Gary Patterson, whose storied career at TCU and national accolades bring a new vision to the Trojans' defense.

USC coach Lincoln Riley is banking on a wave of transfer talent, including former Michigan State defensive tackle Alex VanSumeren, to lift the Trojans into the inaugural College Football Playoff in 2026.

Penn State will start redshirt freshman Malachi Goodman at left tackle for the upcoming game against the USC Trojans, a move that could reshape the offensive line dynamics and test the Trojans' pass rush.

The Trojans must navigate a demanding schedule and a revamped defense to break the Big Ten's recent national champion streak.

Ohio State is the clear favorite for the 2026 Big Ten championship, but Indiana, Oregon, Michigan and others are poised to challenge as the compressed schedule leaves little room for error.

USC’s fifth‑year coach Lincoln Riley faces unprecedented pressure as star quarterback Jayden Maiava returns and a No. 1 recruiting class arrives. With a new defensive mastermind, Gary Patterson, the Trojans hope to finally break through the playoff barrier.

Lincoln Riley, once a top‑five coach, now sits at No. 15 in the FBS rankings. To restore USC’s prominence, the program must return to the College Football Playoff.

A deep dive into USC’s 2026 football outlook, highlighting quarterback Jayden Maiava, a fortified offensive line, defensive upgrades under Gary Patterson, and a revamped special teams unit.

With a 9‑4 finish in 2025 and a top‑ranked recruiting class, the Trojans are betting on new talent to chase a College Football Playoff spot.

Lincoln Riley’s USC Trojans face a pivotal Halloween showdown with Ohio State, a game that could shape the team’s playoff destiny and the coach’s future.

After a season marked by setbacks in the secondary, USC is banking on the health and skill set of transfer Jontez Williams to restore depth and playmaking ability for the upcoming campaign.

The latest preseason Top‑25 poll blends expert opinion with algorithmic evaluation, offering a nuanced view of teams such as Indiana, Ohio State, Oregon and Texas as the 2026 season looms.

From a flawless 2025 home stretch to a daunting 2026 schedule, the Trojans face a gauntlet of elite opponents that could define their national title hopes.

USC has extended 78 offers in its 2028 class and is zeroing in on four‑star safety Jalen Flowers, whose visits, rankings and stats make him a centerpiece of the Trojans' defensive rebuild.

USC's defense is set for a shake‑up as former Iowa State cornerback Jontez Williams joins the program, bringing a blend of Big 12 experience and physical readiness that could reshape the Trojans’ backfield.