The title discusses three factors that indicate the USC Trojans can finally make the College Football Playoff under head coach Lincoln Riley in 2026, with the possibility of a deep run in it.
Jul 24, 2025; Las Vegas, NV, USA; USC head coach Lincoln Riley speaks to the media during the Big Ten NCAA college football media days at Mandalay Bay Resort.
Mandatory Credit: Lucas Peltier-Imagn Images | Lucas Peltier-Imagn Imageshave an opportunity to make the College Football Playoff for the first time, with the pressure seeming to ramp up each season. While the Trojans have been unable to qualify for the CFP thus far, three factors indicate that next season could be USC’s best opportunity under Riley to make the College Football Playoff and potentially make a deep run in it.
Dec 30, 2025; San Antonio, TX, USA; Southern California Trojans quarterback Jayden Maiava carries the ball against the TCU Horned Frogs in the second half during the Alamo Bowl at Alamodome. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images | Kirby Lee-Imagn Imagesquarterback Jayden Maiava, who took a major step forward with his performance last season . In Maiava’s 2025 campaign, he recorded 3,711 passing yards, 24 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions while completing 65.8 percent of his passes.
In addition to Maiava’s production as a quarterback, he also added 157 yards and six touchdowns on the ground as a rusher. Throughout Maiava’s collegiate career, he has shown the ability to progress each season, and with Riley, the 2026 season could be Maiava’s best yet. During Riley’s coaching career, he has consistently developed quarterbacks who have excelled at the collegiate level and later found success in the NFL.
With Maiava, Riley has been able to help him take major steps forward each season, which could mean great things for USC’s offense next season. , especially when considering that teams like Ohio State and Oregon have consistently had great play at that position.
With players like Ohio State’s Julian Sayin and Oregon’s Dante Moore, Maiava will have plenty of tests in 2026, but if he can perform well, the Trojans should have an opportunity to win some of the tougher games on USC’s schedule. As the Trojans prepare for the 2026 season, Maiava's performance is critical, but with his past progression in mind, it seems he has a great chance to take a step forward and potentially lead USC to its best showing under Riley.
Oct 28, 2023; Berkeley, California, USA; USC Trojans offensive lineman Elijah Paige during halftime against the California Golden Bears at California Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images | Darren Yamashita-Imagn ImagesWith the return of Maiava, the Trojans also get the benefit of having continuity along the offensive line, as all five starters from a season ago are returning to USC for next season.
The returning starters include Elijah Paige at left tackle, Tobias Raymond at left guard, Kilian O’Connor at center, Alani Noa at right guard, and Justin Tauanuu at right tackle. With the return of all five starters, USC has the opportunity to build on what they accomplished last season, which could give Riley the chance to add more to the playbook without having to take a step back upfront.
In addition to being able to expand the playbook for the offensive line, Riley should also have the confidence that this group will perform after a solid showing in 2025 on the ground and protecting Maiava in the pass game. Last season, USC averaged 169.46 rush yards per game, which ranked 55th in the country. For the Trojans to be able to run the ball with decent effectiveness was very helpful in being able to stay on track.
If USC can improve its ground game with the continuity they have up front, the Trojans could have an even more explosive offense. In the pass game, USC allowed just 15 sacks last season, ranking 12th in the nation. In the Big Ten, there are several great pass rush units, and the Trojans held up very well to protect Maiava. Limiting the hits that Maiava takes is critical for USC’s success during conference play and what.
The continuity for the offensive line also gives the Trojans the ability to pick up stunts and limit free rushers that defenses have. Based on the continuity that USC has on the offensive line, taking a step forward in the run game and the pass game is not out of the question, and could give the Trojans an opportunity to have one of the better offensive line units in the Big Ten.
Dec 30, 2025; San Antonio, TX, USA; Southern California Trojans wide receiver Tanook Hines catches the ball against TCU Horned Frogs cornerback Vernon Glover in the second half during the Alamo Bowl at Alamodome. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images | Kirby Lee-Imagn ImagesFor Maiava to have success in 2026, he needs to have weapons he can rely on, and heading into 2026, there are a few weapons that return from 2025 and could have major impacts.
In the backfield, USC gets the benefit of King Miller and Waymond Jordan, both returning to lead the Trojans' rush attack. In 2025, Miller totaled 156 carries for 972 yards and eight touchdowns with an average of 6.2 yards per carry. Jordan was also productive, as he had 88 attempts for 576 yards and five touchdowns while averaging 6.5 yards per attempt before being injured halfway through the season against Michigan.
With the tandem of Miller and Jordan returning and expected to be healthy, USC’s rush attack has a great blend of speed and power, which could help the Trojans to create a productive and explosive run game that may be one of the more dangerous in the Big Ten. , who had a great performance in 2025 as the Trojans' third option behind Makai Lemon and Ja’Kobi Lane, who have both left USC for the NFL.
In Hines’ 2025 campaign with the Trojans, he recorded 34 receptions for 561 yards and two touchdowns, showcasing his versatility as a receiver with the ability to line up almost anywhere across offensive formations. Hines really showed his potential as a number one receiver in the Alamo Bowl against TCU when he had six receptions for 163 yards and gave the defense problems all night long.
As USC heads into next season, Maiva having a weapon like Hines could be very beneficial and potentially lead to the Trojans having one of the more dynamic passing attacks in the Big Ten and potentially in the country. Aiden James Checketts is a writer for USC Trojans on SI, apart of the Sports Illustrated network. He graduated from California Lutheran University with a Bachelor of Science in Sports Management and a Master's in Business Administration.
During his time at CLU, he also competed in collegiate football for all four years. He also has contributed for The Sporting Tribune, where he wrote on NFL Draft analysis and weekly previews for the Los Angeles Rams, Los Angeles Chargers, and Las Vegas Raiders. Outside of work, he enjoys rooting for the New England Patriots and Golden State Warriors, watching movies, and trying new food whenever he can.
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