Reign of Troy
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ESPN writer puts the pressure on USC football to have a special season in 2026

The Trojans will enter next season as a team expected to make the playoffs
ByCorey Long|
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Nov 29, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Southern California Trojans quarterback Jayden Maiava (14) and head coach Lincoln Riley react after the game against the UCLA Bruins at United Airlines Field at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Nov 29, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Southern California Trojans quarterback Jayden Maiava (14) and head coach Lincoln Riley react after the game against the UCLA Bruins at United Airlines Field at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

USC is built to make a playoff run in 2026 and ESPN.com writer Craig Haubert believes that the Trojans' highly-touted high school recruiting class and experience among the returning players will help them achieve that goal.

ESPN had USC as one of the 12 teams most primed to make a playoff run in 2026. The list includes six teams that made the playoffs this past season, including finalists Indiana and Miami. The Trojans joined Notre Dame. Texas, Michigan, LSU and UNLV as the group that are best equipped to make the 12-team CFP bracket next season.

"Everything is aligned for the Trojans to finally make the playoff. Jayden Maiava returns after posting the nation's second-best QBR (89.9) in 2025 and will operate behind an experienced offensive line," Haubert wrote. "The Trojans supplemented that continuity with the No. 1 recruiting class, which includes two five-stars up front: offensive tackle Keenyi Pepe, who could quickly become USC's top reserve offensive lineman, and defensive end Luke Wafle."

ESPN believes USC is a CFP team in 2026

This is probably a make-or-break year for Lincoln Riley, and he hopes that investing heavily in a top high school recruiting class, USC will have the consistency on the field to become a regular playoff team. The Big Ten conference schedule is difficult with Michigan, Indiana, Oregon and Ohio State on the slate. 

The Trojans didn't have huge numbers in the transfer portal, but they did go big-game hunting and found  players that they expect to be difference makers in the starting lineup.

"USC's portal class wasn't particularly deep, but Jontez Williams (Iowa State) was one of the better corners available and wide receiver Terrell Anderson (NC State) averaged an explosive 16.1 yards per catch last season," Haubert added.

Riley has everything he needs to make a playoff run and, truthfully speaking, it's time for the Trojans to be part of the CFP and compete for a national championship for the first time in 20 years.

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