USC Trojans 2026 Season Preview: Chasing National Championship Dreams
The USC Trojans, despite missing the College Football Playoff in 2025, have the 12th-best odds of winning the national championship next season at +3500, according to DraftKings Sportsbook. The top 12 teams with the best odds include Ohio State, Indiana, Texas, Georgia, Oregon, Notre Dame, LSU, Alabama, Texas Tech, Texas A&M, Miami, and USC. USC's chances of making the 12-team field for the national championship might vary once the teams are revealed for the upcoming season.
Heading into the 2026 season, USC faces questions about their defensive coordinator position and the departure of key players like Makai Lemon, Ja'Kobi Lane, Eric Gentry, and Kamari Ramsey. However, with quarterback Jayden Maiava returning to school and coach Lincoln Riley leading the offense, the Trojans are expected to have a strong offensive unit.
Despite the challenges, Coach Riley remains optimistic about USC's future, citing the team's commitment and effort. He believes that the program is in a position to succeed and that a window of opportunity has opened for the team to achieve their goals. The USC coach emphasizes the privilege of working at USC and the responsibility that comes with it for both players and coaches.