Home / Sports / USC Trojans Ranked 14th for 2026 Season
USC Trojans Ranked 14th for 2026 Season
14 May
Summary
- USC Trojans ranked 14th in post-spring 2026 college football rankings.
- Trojans face tough Big Ten schedule with Oregon, Ohio State, Indiana.
- Coach Lincoln Riley faces pressure to reach playoff this season.
The USC Trojans are positioned at No. 14 in CBS Sports' post-spring college football rankings for the 2026 season. This ranking places them behind three other Big Ten Conference teams: No. 1 Ohio State Buckeyes, No. 3 Oregon Ducks, and No. 6 Indiana Hoosiers. Michigan Wolverines follow at No. 16, also in the Big Ten.
Last season, USC achieved nine wins, failing to make the College Football Playoff for the first time in program history, a playoff that included the three Big Ten teams ranked ahead of them. Indiana ultimately won the national championship. Betting odds reflect this perceived tier separation, with Ohio State and Indiana favored for the Big Ten title and national championship.
Coach Lincoln Riley, now in his fifth year with USC, has an overall record of 35-18 since 2022. His tenure began with a double-digit win season, but the team has not reached that level since. With the playoff format expanding to 12 teams, the 2026 season presents a critical opportunity for USC to compete for a Big Ten title and a playoff spot, starting their season on August 29 against San Jose State.
