The Trojans, especially head coach Lincoln Riley, were adamant that this year would be different than the recent disappointments.SC finished 9-3 in 2025, brought in the number one recruiting class in the country, added some talent at key positions in the transfer portal, and returned starting quarterback Jayden Maiava after a strong 2025.
They hired former TCU head coach Gary Patterson to run the defense.In theory, the elements had finally come together to return the program to prominence.
And they said as much.This page may contain affiliate links to legal sports betting partners.If you sign up or place a wager, FOX News may be compensated.
This content was created by a team that works independently from the FOX newsroom."The time is now," the marketing campaign went.Riley gave interviews in the spring, including one to On3, where he said the administration got "serious" about competing at the highest levels of college football.LINCOLN RILEY’S USC TENURE COULD END WITH LOSS AGAINST OHIO STATE’S BACKUP QUARTERBACK, AND $70M BUYOUTHead coach Lincoln Riley of the USC Trojans reacts against the UCLA Bruins in the second half of a NCAA football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Saturday, Nov.
29, 2025.(Keith Birmingham/MediaNews Group/Pasadena Star-News)"USC had to get really serious about being great in the sport again," he explained.
" I give the school administration — everybody — credit.They have."Taking this over, you knew you had to go fight like hell just to try to get this window opened," Riley said.
"And we’re at a point right now where there’s a lot to be excited about and a lot in front of us.It’s been a lot of work for a lot of people, a lot of commitment from a lot of people to get there, and it should be a lot of fun these next few years.""We came here to win championships," he continued.
" A lot of us have been fortunate enough to be a part of a lot of championships.We certainly didn’t come here for anythi...