Analysts question USC national championship status following Fresno State win
Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Sep 5, 2026, 2:01 PM
Last updated Sep 5, 2026

Following a shutout victory over Fresno State, USC continues to draw national attention despite questions regarding the team's championship readiness. While analysts praised the improved performance of the USC secondary and defensive line, concerns persist regarding the consistency of the offensive line and ball security issues like those seen from Waymond Jordan. The Trojans improved their record to 2-0 following the win, though the competition provided limited testing for the defensive unit. Future contests against Louisiana and Rutgers are expected to precede a significant challenge when USC faces Oregon on September 26. Observers maintain that the upcoming matchup with Oregon serves as the primary gauge for determining the Trojans' true standing as a contender this season.
- •USC shut out Fresno State in their most recent game.
- •The USC offensive line faced struggles in the absence of Kilian O'Connor.
- •Freshmen including Trent Mosley, Kayden Dixon-Wyatt, and Jide Abasiri have emerged as core contributors.
- •USC faces Louisiana and Rutgers before playing Oregon on September 26.
- •Waymond Jordan committed fumbles that analysts identified as a recurring issue.
- 2:01 PMYahoo Sports — Way too early to call USC a national championship contender
"Do we all want USC to be a national title contender? Of course... but beating Fresno State doesn't make it true. Let's slow down here
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