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Analyst Continues Pushing False Narratives About USC Trojans

Originally posted on LAFB Network | By Ryan Dyrud | Last updated Aug 9, 2025 8:55 PM ET

The momentum surrounding the USC Trojans program is the highest it has been in quite some time. Part of that is due to the top-ranked 2026 recruiting class. We are seeing USC recruit like they haven’t in quite some time.

However, there is also a ton of excitement around this current team and its 2025 aspirations.

While expectations for a National Championship may be a little far-fetched, contending for a Big Ten title and a spot in the College Football Playoff is certainly in the cards.

There are still those around the league, and specifically in the SEC, who do not believe in the USC Trojans yet. That is completely fine, and what this business is supposed to be about. However, pushing false narratives is not what this business is about.

And yet, Andy Staples of On3 is doing just that.

Andy Staples Pushing Narrative About USC Trojans 2025 Season

Staples was a recent guest on the Dan Patrick Show. During the episode, the two spoke about a number of topics around college football, including the coaches who are under the most pressure in 2025.

After talking about Florida, Auburn, and Oklahoma, Patrick then asks Staples about USC.

“When you hear Lincoln Riley talk, it sounds as if he’s pointing towards 2026. They have this massive recruiting class coming in 2026… they don’t seem particularly excited about their chances in the Big Ten this year.”

"When you hear Lincoln Riley talk it sounds as if he's pointing towards 2026. They have this massive recruiting class coming in in 2026… They don't seem particularly excited about their chances in the Big Ten this year."

–@Andy_Staples on #USC pic.twitter.com/LrCb2tU48G
— Dan Patrick Show (@dpshow) August 6, 2025

Interesting.

It is one thing to say that you don’t believe that the USC Trojans are going to improve this year, and that they are truly a year away from really contending. Not only is that fine, it may actually be true.

But to say that it sounds like Riley is essentially punting on the season and looking towards next year because no one in the building seems excited about their chances in the conference is certainly a wild statement to make.

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I would first like to find the language that Riley has used that would lead Staples to believe this. I have been at just about every media availability event that Riley has been a part of, including every Fall Camp practice, and I am not sure where someone could make this summation.

In fact, I would say that this is perhaps the most confident I have heard this coaching staff since Riley got to Los Angeles.

And then to say, “they don’t seem particularly excited about their chances in the Big Ten this year.” Where is that coming from? Is he talking about the fan base? The boosters? The athletic department?

Again, I’m not entirely sure where this belief would come from without just making it up out of thin air.

Just speaking practically. At the beginning of the clip, Staples mentioned Hugh Freeze and the Auburn Tigers. He says that if the Tigers were actually a decent football team last year, they just made game-breaking mistakes that cost them. Auburn finished 5-7 last year. Sound familiar?

He then goes on to say that with even mediocre QB play, the Tigers could potentially make the playoffs this year. But the USC Trojans and Lincoln Riley are punting on the season and looking to next year? After having a lead in the 4th quarter of every single Big Ten game?

If it looks, sounds, and feels like a false narrative, usually it is.

This article first appeared on LAFB Network and was syndicated with permission.

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