USC football season is here; are the Trojans ready?

Can you feel it? That buzz in the air? USC football is officially back as we enter Week One. The grind of winter training, spring ball, and fall camp is over. Now, when the Trojans take the field, it’s no longer about iron sharpening iron in Cardinal and Gold; it’s about preparing for the first real opponent of the season.

This offseason has been anything but quiet. USC closed 2024 with an exciting Las Vegas Bowl win, only to follow it up with a dramatic signing day. While the Trojans didn’t land every recruit they targeted, they did secure one of the crown jewels of the class in defensive lineman Jahkeem Stewart, who is expected to anchor the defense for years to come. And just when the dust seemed to settle, USC stunned the college football world by poaching General Manager Chad Bowden from rival Notre Dame. The result? A 2026 recruiting class ranked firmly inside the national top two with no signs of slowing down.

Head coach Lincoln Riley has doubled down as well, reinforcing his staff with elite recruiters to pair with Eric Henderson, most notably Chad Savage and Rob Ryan. On offense, the weapons are undeniable. USC boasts two potential first-round wide receivers capable of taking over games at any moment, plus the No. 1 JUCO transfer running back, Waymond “Waymo” Jordan. At the center of it all is quarterback Jayden Maiava. The Hawaii native went 3-1 as a starter last season and flashed star potential. Now he fully embraces the role of QB1 and the expectations that come with being a leader for this team.

Expected USC bright spot

And then there’s the defense. Once the weaker unit under Riley, it was USC’s strength a year ago and looks even more dangerous this season. Bigger, more experienced, and brimming with confidence, the group has adopted the identity of “Land Sharks”, a name that reflects their relentless, swarming style of play.

Yes, the buzz is real. This USC team is fueled by the doubt and disrespect from national media. They’ve been waiting for this moment. Now, it’s time to show they’re more than ready.