What's Happening?
USC Trojans coach Lincoln Riley has openly discussed the competitive landscape of college football, emphasizing the dominance of the Big Ten and SEC conferences. Riley highlighted the challenging schedules faced by teams in these conferences, noting that the strength of schedule plays a significant role in College Football Playoff considerations. USC's 2026 schedule includes formidable opponents such as Oregon, Ohio State, and Indiana, all of which made the 2025 playoff. Despite the challenges, Riley believes that playing in the Big Ten offers USC a competitive edge, as a strong schedule can enhance their playoff prospects.
Why It's Important?
Riley's comments underscore the growing divide in college football, where the Big Ten and SEC are perceived as the leading
conferences. This perception affects recruiting, media attention, and financial opportunities for member schools. For USC, competing in the Big Ten means facing some of the toughest teams in the nation, which can either bolster their reputation or expose weaknesses. The ability to navigate such a schedule successfully could position USC as a national contender and influence future conference alignments and playoff structures.
What's Next?
USC will face a rigorous 2026 schedule, with key games against top-ranked teams that will test their capabilities. The team's performance will be closely watched, as it could impact their playoff chances and Riley's coaching legacy. As the season unfolds, USC will need to leverage its strengths and address any weaknesses to remain competitive. The outcomes of these games will also contribute to ongoing discussions about conference realignment and the future of the College Football Playoff system.
