What's Happening?
USC is entering the 2025 season with the aim of proving its capability to contend in the Big Ten after a challenging debut in the conference. The Trojans struggled with road games and finished with a losing conference record, largely due to late-game collapses and a lack of resilience away from home. Coach Lincoln Riley is tasked with addressing these issues as USC enters its second year in the Big Ten. The team must improve its performance in hostile environments and finish games strong, especially after holding fourth-quarter leads in five of their six losses last season. Key players like Makai Lemon and Ja'Kobi Lane are set to return, but the WR3 role remains open, with redshirt freshman Xavier Jordan emerging as a potential candidate.
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Why It's Important?
The 2025 season is crucial for USC as it seeks to establish itself as a competitive force in the Big Ten. Success in this endeavor could significantly impact the team's reputation and future recruiting prospects. The ability to win on the road and overcome previous shortcomings will be essential for USC to achieve its projected win total of 7.5 games. The Trojans' performance against teams like Nebraska, which is improving, could define their season and determine whether they can achieve eight or nine wins. Failure to address these challenges may result in another disappointing season, affecting the team's standing in the conference and its long-term growth.
What's Next?
USC's schedule includes challenging road games against Purdue, Illinois, Nebraska, Notre Dame, and Oregon. The outcome of these games, particularly the Nebraska matchup, will be pivotal in determining the Trojans' success this season. USC must focus on flipping results in these road games to make the Big Ten slate less daunting. If the team can overcome its road struggles, it may pave the way for a successful season. However, if the Trojans continue to falter, their path to achieving eight wins could quickly close.
Beyond the Headlines
The development of players like Xavier Jordan could have long-term implications for USC's offensive strategy and depth. As a former top-150 prospect, Jordan's emergence could strengthen the Trojans' receiving corps and provide more options for Coach Riley. Additionally, USC's performance in the Big Ten will be closely watched by fans and analysts, potentially influencing perceptions of the conference's competitiveness and the Trojans' role within it.
