As we get closer and closer to football season, more and more rankings and projections are dropping. Each ranking that gets released further highlights the idea that few analysts are sold on Lincoln Riley’s Trojans this season. There are not too many experts that truly believe Riley can turn USC football into a Big Ten powerhouse this season.
In a recent ranking on ESPN, writer David Hale breaks down his 20 tiers for all 136 teams in the FBS. Here are his thoughts on why USC is in a lower tier grouped up with Nebraska, and Wisconsin:
“Matt Rhule, Lincoln Riley and Luke Fickell each seemed like absolute home run coaching hires. Setting aside Riley’s 11-1 start to his tenure at USC, the three are now a combined 40-39 overall with a 23-32 record in Big Ten play since Dec. 1, 2022. That has put all three in a position to make 2025 a must-win year. What exactly “winning” means probably differs a bit by school, but the pressure is on. At USC, Riley lost a ton of big-name talent in the portal and will move forward with a QB who has 19 touchdown passes and 17 turnovers in nine career starts against teams with a winning record.”
Lincoln Riley and the Trojans have a lot of doubters to prove wrong this season. Riley has to remind all of college football he is one of the best coaches in the country. From a talent perspective, USC should be better than it was in 2024. Given the credentials of this coaching staff, the Trojans should not be in this lower ESPN tier, but a lack of success in recent years has brought them into this conversation.
The troubles that have plagued the Trojans in past seasons of misfortune are things Lincoln Riley and his staff have worked hard to address. This defense is no longer one of the worst defenses in the country. The Trojans have stability at the quarterback position, and they have a talented set of skill position players that will elevate Jayden Maiava’s play.
The Trojans are heading into this football season with low media expectations, but that might play to their benefit. The Trojans can flourish and be one of the biggest sleepers in college football with the bar being set low by pundits who are discounting the improvements this team has made.
This article originally appeared on Trojans Wire: ESPN releases new rankings list with Trojans placed in lower tier
Reporting by Micah Huff, Trojans Wire / Trojans Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
