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USC Football: Make or Break Year for Riley?
29 Jul
Summary
- Rece Davis sees USC as a potential dark horse this year.
- Lincoln Riley's tenure could be make-or-break this season.
- Gary Patterson is the new defensive coordinator for USC.
ESPN analyst Rece Davis expressed optimism regarding USC's potential for the upcoming season, noting it could be a defining period for head coach Lincoln Riley. Some analysts suggest a playoff appearance or a potential firing for Riley, with little middle ground predicted.
The Trojans face a demanding schedule in 2026, with significant conference games against Oregon, Washington, Penn State, and Ohio State. USC benefits from hosting three of these tough matchups at home and has the advantage of two bye weeks, offering strategic recovery time.
Gary Patterson, a seasoned former TCU head coach, has been appointed as USC's new defensive coordinator. He inherits a young defensive unit that will implement a new scheme under his guidance, with the aim of improving performance over the initial games of the season.
Despite talent acquisition and high expectations, USC's playoff case appears fragile. Head coach Lincoln Riley's record against ranked opponents, particularly top-10 teams, remains a concern. The team's struggles against strong defenses were evident in losses last fall, and preseason polls place them behind other Big Ten contenders.
