While there is a lot of pressure on Lincoln Riley to win this season, there is a great opportunity for him this season to bounce back in the Big Ten with a favorable schedule. Not only is the schedule better for USC, but the talent gap won’t be as big this season for the Trojans compared to the competition. The Men of Troy are fielding one of the more talented offenses in the Big Ten.

In an article predicting USC’s 2025 season, writer Lorenzo Reyna predicts the Trojans to have a ceiling as high as finishing 12-1 and being a College Football Playoff team this year.

“The head coach has created needed momentum to ensure he gains one more year with USC. His 2026 recruiting class reignited interest among USC fans. (Rob) Ryan’s addition fuels new energy too. USC doesn’t get Ohio State or Penn State on the 2025 schedule either. Notre Dame (Oct. 18) and Oregon (Nov. 22) present the toughest road games. But (those are) environments USC has won in before. A 12-1 campaign is the ceiling for Riley and the Trojans. Which seals a playoff spot too. Riley needed this offseason to win back fans. He tweaked needed areas with the rest of his staff. These aggressive moves lead to a more promising season in the Land of Troy.”

The USC Trojans lucked out by not having to play Penn State, Ohio State, and a frisky Minnesota team that beat them last season. The Trojans have Oregon and Notre Dame as the two big dogs on their schedule, but the Trojans do not have to see the Ducks until November and the Fighting Irish not until seven weeks into the season.

This talented offense could get out to a hot start this season and gain enough confidence to play its best when USC faces the top teams in college football. The opportunity is definitely there this season for Riley and the Trojans. We will see if they will rise to the occasion or have yet another disappointing season.

This article originally appeared on Trojans Wire: Lincoln Riley and USC football have a path to contend for the playoff