Needed year for USC to further improve before setting playoff expectations

After watching USC finish the regular season at .500, fans of USC are hoping to see the record take a significant leap this year. Between the schedule and how the roster is looking on both sides, there is a strong desire from the Trojan fan base to see something of a payoff.

There will be a difficult task of setting an exact number or quota. It also needs to be remembered that this is the Big Ten, after all. Each team will have the chance to cause an upset or grab a win for themselves during a game in which they realistically should have lost.

While that may be the case, this is also an improved Trojan roster and culture.

At the top end, this is a USC team that can be in the College Football Playoff discussions up through the end of the season. More likely, however, this program is still a year away from that being the reasonable and universal expectation. It may not be exactly what USC supporters want to hear, but 2025 will still be something of a stepping-stone year.

The difference, though, is that those following USC can have increased confidence that the program truly is on the right track. Although there is a chance of the Trojans making the CFP, that isn't something to necessarily expect at this point.

Critics will point to 2025 being coach Riley's fourth year in Los Angeles. It still needs to be acknowledged that there has been a reset in Troy.

Setting reasonable a viewpoint for USC in 2025

At the most optimistic spectrum of what to potentially look forward to, USC could end up making the playoffs with an at-large bid. Most likely this is a team that will still be on the outside looking in, but better positioned. There may be some games that currently look good on paper, but a lot can and will change each year in the Big Ten.

USC being around 10 regular season wins, with a bowl game, would be enough to indicate progress and is a reasonable floor to expect from the Trojans in 2025.