USC will comfortably hit the over on their 2025 win total

There is a lot of debate among people who look at what Vegas says as to why certain numbers are where they are. Regardless of why, the USC win total of 7.5 is set too low. Following a 7-6 season, it could appear like a logical place for the amount to be set at. In reality, this is undervaluing the upcoming Trojans season.

It can be something of a fool's errand to project too far into the fall at this point. There will always be teams that underachieve. Others will have something of a breakout and show that the rest of the college football nation was sleeping on them.

For USC, neither of those situations specifically apply. Historically, the Trojans belong at the top of CFB. Coach Lincoln Riley having a good year and making a deep run in the College Football Playoffs wouldn't be a shock to the system by any stretch. Instead, it would be a return to the norm.

Considering where Vegas currently expects this program to land, however, a .500 battle is what the consensus believes this team will be fighting for.

The issue is that there is a tremendous amount of parity across the nation at the moment. For all of the teams like Texas, Georgia, and Ohio State, there are still flaws on those rosters. While they may be examples of some of the better ones in the sport, even the current apex of what NCAAF has to offer has notable flaws that others can look to take advantage of.

When doing the taboo activity of looking at the schedule, outside of Michigan, USC will at least have a fighter's chance to get the victory. The Wolverines are going to be starting a freshman at, so while the rest of the team looks ready to be a national contender again, a lot will depend on the first-year player.

This is where the Trojans have a distinct advantage compared to most rosters in CFB. Jayden Maiava will have spent his entire time since the Nebraska game being the starter. With a full spring camp and heading in as the No. 1 option, USC will have an upperclassman ready to reward coach Riley's trust in an offense that he will be infinitely more familiar with since the fall of last year.

Ja'Kobi Lane and Makai Lemon are going to have a fantastic case of being the best wide receiver duo in the country. The running game will be solid under Waymond Jordan and Eli Sanders as transfers, as well as the others in that room.  

Foundation is there for USC

Certainly the defense will have a lot of bodies that need to be replaced after seeing a number of seniors leave. Coach D'Anton Lynn should be fine there with the number of bodies on that side of the ball that looked good through the spring.

On the intangible side of things, the program is headed in the right direction. Self-admittedly, coach Riley had some early missteps when he first arrived in Los Angeles. The buy-in and collective push by everyone in the building is something that can be felt.

Sometimes results don't always fall the way that they should. Right now, coach Riley, the staff, and players currently on the roster are going about their business the right way to be closer to a 10-win team than one that flirts with a losing season.