USC Trojans aim for College Football Playoff in 2026 season
2 sources • 1 min read • Latest: Aug 18, 2026, 2:17 PM
Last updated Aug 18, 2026
The USC Trojans, under head coach Lincoln Riley, set a clear goal for the upcoming 2026 college football season: to reach the College Football Playoffs. Despite not having qualified for the playoffs since the format's inception, USC has bolstered its roster and enters the season hopeful. The Trojans will face a challenging regular season schedule that includes games against prominent teams like Oregon, Washington, Penn State, and Ohio State. Analysts emphasize that a successful season hinges on USC achieving at least a 10-2 record against this tough slate. With the playoff field expanded to 12 teams, expectations for USC have intensified this year as they seek to end a prolonged absence from postseason contention.
- •USC has not reached the College Football Playoff under Lincoln Riley.
- •The Trojans finished 9-4 in 2025 after a 7-6 season in 2024.
- •USC's schedule includes Oregon, Washington, Penn State, and Ohio State.
- •Analysts suggest USC must go at least 10-2 to secure a playoff spot.
- •The College Football Playoff field has expanded to 12 teams.
- 2:17 PMYahoo Sports — College football analyst names USC, Lincoln Riley as team that must make playoffs in 2026
- 2:16 PMYahoo Sports — USC football's goal for the 2026 season is crystal clear
"USC has not reached the College Football Playoff under Lincoln Riley, putting added pressure on the Trojans to make a postseason breakthrough in 2026.
"Lincoln Riley and the USC Trojans enter the new college football season with a simple goal, make the College Football Playoffs.
Sources
External links- Yahoo SportsAug 18, 2026, 2:17 PMCollege football analyst names USC, Lincoln Riley as team that must make playoffs in 2026
USC has not reached the College Football Playoff under Lincoln Riley, putting added pressure on the Trojans to make a postseason breakthrough in 2026.
- Yahoo SportsAug 18, 2026, 2:16 PMUSC football's goal for the 2026 season is crystal clear
Lincoln Riley and the USC Trojans enter the new college football season with a simple goal, make the College Football Playoffs.
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