The USC Trojans football program faces persistent challenges since the departure of Pete Carroll. The first half of the 2026 season offers a glimpse into ongoing struggles and high expectations. USC entered this season with a clear goal: reach the College Football Playoff and reestablish their national prominence following years of setbacks and missed chances.
The team’s demanding schedule includes tough home games against Oregon, Ohio State, and Washington, as well as away games at Penn State, Wisconsin, Indiana, and UCLA. USC’s head coach, Lincoln Riley, expressed confidence, declaring the team ready to win “championships.” Yet, their performance has not matched Riley’s bold claims.
In their clash with Oregon, USC had an opportunity to prove themselves as elite contenders. Instead, they allowed Oregon to gain over 500 yards, with backup quarterback Dylan Raiola playing after an injury to Dante Moore. Despite a 27-27 score in the fourth quarter, an untimely roughing the passer penalty helped Oregon secure a win. This marked another defeat under Riley’s leadership.
One loss is not devastating in today’s football landscape. However, the following game against Washington presented another challenge. Despite the Huskies being considered weaker opponents, USC struggled. The team’s poor tackling effort led to a third-quarter touchdown by Washington, increasing their lead to 21-10.
Although USC managed to secure a 25-21 victory thanks to a crucial strip-sack scoop by Jakheem Stewart, recurring issues persisted. Key plays and opportunities were negated by penalties. Jayden Maiava threw a costly interception in the second quarter and underthrew a critical pass in the fourth. An illegal formation penalty wiped out a 16-yard completion, and an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty disrupted a promising drive.
Fans’ frustration grew evident as the season progressed, with calls to “Fire Lincoln” becoming more frequent. Despite investments in NIL, facilities, and coaching staff, USC’s 5-1 record lacks the impact fans anticipated. Meetings with top teams like Ohio State and Indiana loom with little optimism.
USC’s continuous pattern of errors and unmet expectations mirrors the challenges they’ve faced following Pete Carroll’s era. The focus remains on whether they can break this cycle and return to football prominence.
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