The USC Trojans are off to a 3-0 start after winning their first three games against Missouri State, Georgia Southern and Purdue by a combined 115 points. The dominant start has pushed USC into the rankings for the first time this season. USC’s offense has been explosive to start the season, averaging 55 points per game.
Quarterback Jayden Maiava has shown a significant improvement, solidifying himself as a Heisman contender. Wide receivers Ja’Kobi Lane and Makai Lemon have been the best wide receiver duo in the country.
As Sports Illustrated noted, Lincoln Riley is looking to build on USC’s dominant start. He has turned his focus to maintaining energy both on and off the field. In a joint letter with general manager Chad Bowden, he challenged the Trojan community to keep pushing forward:
“This week, our football team returns to the Coliseum for our Big Ten home opener. The start to the season has been successful, but we know that our biggest battles lie ahead, and winning them will require more from all of us,” wrote Riley and Bowden.
“More unity. More sacrifice. More effort. More energy. More togetherness. More – from every Trojan. Those on the field, and those in the stands,” Riley stated.
USC Must Prove It Against Quality Opponents
September has been USC’s most dominant month under Lincoln Riley, with the Trojans having a 14-1 record across the 2022, 2023, 2024, and early 2025 seasons.
USC has become more inconsistent later in the season. During the 2023 season, the team started 6-0 but finished with five losses in their final six games. The 2024 season was similarly disappointing, with a 4-5 record in conference play.
USC has done exactly what it was supposed to do, rolling past overmatched opponents to open the season. But, that’s not the standard at USC. Fans and analysts don’t care about dropping 77 on Missouri State.
Rather, they want to know if Lincoln Riley’s team can win the Big Ten, reach the College Football Playoff, and finally bring championships back to Los Angeles.
Pressure Mounting on Lincoln Riley
In his first three seasons with the Trojans, Lincoln Riley has a 24-14 record. He had a very successful first season, going 11-3 and tying a record for the biggest one season turnaround in USC history.
However, the last two seasons have been far below USC standards. Last season alone, all five of their conference losses came by a touchdown or less, with four decided in the final minute. Costly late-game collapses and road losses to Minnesota, Maryland, and Washington showed their inconsistency.
Now, entering year four, the pressure on Riley continues to grow. Given USC’s fast start, expectations couldn’t be higher. The big question is whether Riley and the Trojans can win games past the month of September and make a push towards the College Football Playoff.
On paper, the roster is good enough to do it.
USC’s remaining schedule is very tough. They still have trips to Illinois, Notre Dame, Nebraska and Oregon, along with a home matchup against Michigan.
The real test is coming, which begs the question: how much stock should we put in the Trojans early season dominance? Is this the year Riley and the Trojans take that next step?