USC Trojans' 2026 Season Outlook: Pursuit of College Football Playoff Glory
The upcoming 2026 season holds significant importance for Coach Lincoln Riley and the USC Trojans. Following a 9-4 record in 2025, including losses in three Big Ten road games and a defeat in the Alamo Bowl, USC is aiming for a strong performance this season. With starting quarterback Jayden Maiava returning, key starters back in the lineup, and the top-ranked 2026 recruiting class, fans are hopeful for a College Football Playoff (CFP) appearance. Anything less than a CFP berth would be a major letdown for the Trojans.
ESPN's projected 2026 CFP bracket places USC as the No. 5 seed, setting up a first-round clash at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum against the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors. The Indiana Hoosiers, the defending national champions, are predicted to secure the top seed in the CFP, making USC the second-highest-ranked Big Ten team and the top at-large team. USC's matchups against Ohio State and Oregon at the Coliseum will be crucial in their quest for a CFP spot.
In the playoff scenario, USC is expected to triumph over Hawaii in the first round but face a defeat against their rival, the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, in the CFP Quarterfinal. The decision to not renew the USC-Notre Dame rivalry for the 2026 season disappointed college football enthusiasts, who would have relished a playoff showdown between the two storied programs.
Notre Dame is forecasted to clinch their first national championship since 1988 by defeating the Georgia Bulldogs in the title game scheduled for Jan. 25, 2027, at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada. USC and its fans are eagerly anticipating a successful 2026 season, with eyes set on a coveted spot in the College Football Playoff.