Chance for USC to exceed current expectations in college football

Managing preseason expectations can be a tricky thing. Even within the USC fan base, there are varying levels of either optimism or doubt over what the Trojans will accomplish in 2025.

Focusing on the overall media for the time being, the consensus appears to be that USC will just be ok. With the Trojans expected to finish in the middle of the pack in the Big Ten conference, it appears that most believe that the team will be fighting for one of the high bowl game slots, rather than being a potential College Football Playoff participant.

It does not, in the grand scheme of things, matter too much what is discussed during July or the early months of August. Preseason polls are notoriously inaccurate.

There is an interesting development, however, with so many continuing to view this Trojan team as the same one that they have seen over the past seasons under coach Lincoln Riley.

The onus is now on USC to prove doubters wrong, even among the Cardinal and Gold supporters who believe that the program will not be able to achieve real, on-field success any time soon.

Feeling optimistic for USC this upcoming season

There are a lot of reasons to legitimately believe, without being overly optimistic, though, that the Trojans are indeed on the right track back. In general, particularly around this time of year with recruiting and departures, most will focus on their own team. This makes it somewhat understandable that the media at large, with their own team-focused blinders on, would not be as in tune with some of the more in-depth activities within the Trojan program.

This does provide an opportunity. Although it may seem odd, USC is actually in a great position to take people off guard in 2025.