
USC Eyes Playoff Spot as Big Ten Powerhouses Loom
The Trojans must navigate a demanding schedule and a revamped defense to break the Big Ten's recent national champion streak.
Latest Slidescroller coverage mentioning Jayden Maiava across Football, Basketball.

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.

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.
Four Trojans earn preseason All-Big Ten nods, joining six total selections that include first‑team standouts Makai Lemon and Bishop Fitzgerald. Their stories reflect both promise and perseverance.

The author reflects on a pattern of falling for teams that often disappoint, and outlines five programs that could finally break expectations in the upcoming year.

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.

A recent ranking places Lincoln Riley at No. 15 for the 2026 season, down from No. 12 a year earlier. With USC averaging five losses per season and missing the College Football Playoff, the coach faces a pivotal test in the physically demanding Big Ten, where quarterback development and schedule challenges could define his future.

USC prepares for a high‑stakes clash with Oregon, spotlighting Oregon’s standout safety Koi Perich and the need for the Trojans to fire on all cylinders.

After a 9‑4 finish and a bowl defeat, the Trojans are focused on a College Football Playoff push, highlighted by a marquee matchup at Penn State and a slate of Big Ten battles.

With the Trojans favored but wary of pitfalls, Maryland’s revamped secondary led by veteran cornerback Amari Jackson promises to test USC’s high‑powered offense.

Ranked No. 5 nationally and atop the West, USC's offensive line returns all five starters, adds a five‑star recruit and aims to boost quarterback Jayden Maiava's development while targeting a College Football Playoff berth.

USC’s rising star graces the cover of EA Sports’ College Football 27 deluxe edition, joining a lineage of Trojans legends.

With USC tabbed No. 4 in the Big Ten preseason power rankings, coach Lincoln Riley faces mounting expectations. Key battles against Oregon, Ohio State and Indiana, plus the emergence of quarterback Jayden Maiava, could determine whether the Trojans merely qualify for the College Football Playoff or contend for a national title.

The University of Southern California has created a dedicated AI leadership role, appointing Conor McQuiston to steer predictive analytics for football strategy, backed by a $200 million gift and a top‑ranked recruiting class.

Gunner Stockton’s 2025 performance earned him a Playoff berth, yet CBS Sports placed him in a lower Heisman tier, sparking debate over the criteria used to evaluate elite quarterbacks.

The Trojans enter a challenging schedule in the Big Ten, with marquee games against Indiana, Ohio State, Oregon, Penn State and Wisconsin that could shape their postseason destiny.

From Oregon's Dante Moore opting for college over the NFL draft to Texas' Arch Manning leading a potent Texas offense, the 2026 quarterback class brims with talent, transfers, and storylines that could define the next era of college football.

Penn State enters a new era under Matt Campbell while the Big Ten's competitive landscape reshapes with top‑tier powerhouses, mid‑tier contenders, and a wave of roster changes across the league.
USC will appoint analytics veteran Conor McQuiston to lead its newly created AI-driven football research unit, reporting to general manager Chad Bowden.

With billions spent on coaching contracts and buyouts, college football’s powerhouses are betting on championship dreams — but the stakes are rising for Lane Kiffin at LSU, Mike Norvell at Florida State, Lincoln Riley at USC, and a wave of mid‑season dismissals that reshaped the landscape.

From Penn State's potential upset over Ohio State to West Coast teams eyeing the championship, the upcoming Big Ten season promises twists that could redefine college football narratives.

Analysts outline five daring forecasts for the upcoming college football season, from Penn State outpacing Ohio State to Michigan State’s bowl breakthrough.

USC's 2026 season preview highlights a top recruiting class, notable transfers, and the players set to make an impact on both sides of the ball.