USC coach Lincoln Riley © Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

USC Receives Underwhelming Big Ten Preseason Ranking

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Jordan Merritt | Last updated Jul 4, 2025 1:21 PM ET

The 2024 season was a forgettable one for the USC Trojans and head coach Lincoln Riley, as they finished with a 7-6 record. That did finish with a win over the Texas A&M Aggies in the Las Vegas Bowl. However, it was still significantly below the program's expectations.

The famous college football analyst Phil Steele has dropped his Big Ten Power Rankings for On3, and the spot USC landed in was rather underwhelming. Steele slotted the Trojans in at No. 8, which is way lower than Riley and his team would want to finish. However, it does give them bulletin board material heading into the 2025 season, and I'm sure it won't be the last.

In his preview of what could be for USC next season, Steele wrote,

"Throughout his career, Riley has been known for recruiting and developing excellent quarterbacks. That’s been no different at USC. The hope for the Trojans is that Jayden Maiava is going to be able to be that next great quarterback. If he does, then USC is expecting to have a much better season."

Riley's team was expected to land behind teams such as the Ohio State Buckeyes and Oregon Ducks. However, being behind the Nebraska Cornhuskers and the Illinois Fighting Illini will not go down well with the fan base. The six losses they had in 2024, five of which were one-point losses, meant that two or three games swung the other way, and the media may have a different opinion going into this season.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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