USC faces pressure to perform in 2026 Big Ten football season
Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Aug 26, 2026, 3:26 PM
Last updated Aug 26, 2026
USC football begins its 2026 Big Ten season with high expectations after a 9-3 record last year. The Trojans are expected to win key matchups against Penn State and Washington, but face a challenging trio of opponents in Ohio State, Indiana, and Oregon. If USC secures victories in the games they are favored, they must win at least one of the tougher matchups to achieve a playoff berth. The team's performance this season is critical after a perceived underachievement in 2025, intensifying pressure on head coach Lincoln Riley to deliver results.
- •USC is expected to beat Penn State and Washington in 2026.
- •Key games against Ohio State, Indiana, and Oregon will be pivotal.
- •The Trojans aim for at least nine wins to qualify for the playoffs.
- •Pressure mounts on Lincoln Riley after a disappointing 2025 season.
- 3:26 PMYahoo Sports — Why no excuses should be made for USC football in 2026 Big Ten season
"The Big Ten schedule is tough. So what? USC doesn't have to be perfect. It just has to be good enough to make the playoff. It's not too much to ask
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