Ohio State and Oregon rank 1 and 2 in preseason poll ahead of USC matchup

The preseason 2026 US LBM Coaches Poll highlights the challenging schedule for USC football, with Ohio State and Oregon ranked first and second. This adds pressure on USC, which faces three of the top six teams in the poll, including defending national champion Indiana at sixth. The Trojans previously enjoyed a favorable 2025 schedule but now confront a significantly tougher path to the College Football Playoff despite improvements in their roster. Upcoming matchups against both top-ranked opponents could determine their playoff prospects.

• 2:45 PMYahoo Sports — USC opponents Ohio State and Oregon are 1 and 2 in preseason poll