USC Football Is Ready to Jump Into the Elite Tier

It is do or die for Lincoln Riley and the USC Trojans in 2026.

That may sound dramatic, but it is true. Riley was hired to bring USC back to the national championship conversation, not to hover around the edge of relevance. The pressure is real, the roster is talented, and the schedule gives the Trojans every opportunity to prove they belong in the elite tier of college football.

Jayden Maiava is one of the most interesting Heisman bets on the board at 20/1. He is going to be one of the best quarterbacks in the country, and the production is already there. During the 2025 season, Maiava threw for 3,711 yards, 24 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions while completing 65.8 percent of his passes. He also added 157 rushing yards and six touchdowns on the ground. His 3,711 passing yards ranked fifth nationally, and he showed he could lead a dangerous passing attack.

Now Riley and Maiava enter their third year together. That matters. Riley has already coached Baker Mayfield, Kyler Murray, and Caleb Williams to Heisman Trophy seasons before each became the No. 1 overall pick in the NFL Draft. Maiava does not need to become all three of them, but the blueprint is obvious.

The schedule is difficult, but also loaded with opportunity. USC gets Oregon, Washington, and Ohio State at home, with road trips to Indiana and Penn State. The key is simple: go 3-2 in those five games and win the other seven, where USC should be a significant favorite.

The concern is travel. Going east has been a real problem, and it has to be a major focus this season. But USC has not been placed in the top tier by most publications, and that may be a mistake.

Ohio State, Notre Dame, and Indiana deserve elite status. USC belongs in the mix. At 30/1, the Trojans are a fair price for a team ready to jump.