The outside read on the USC Trojans is little different from the inside view of the football team through three games. Whether it's us or whether it's an outsider, we can all agree that the measure of this team will be taken by Oregon on September 26. Until then, it's all speculation. Dylan McNeill of UCLA Wire affirmed this point:
"Even though USC allowed more points against the Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns (30) than they did in their first two games of the season (26), the Trojans were able to guide to a third-straight win to open the season," McNeill told us. "It’s been far from a daunting cast of programs for USC to open the 2026 season, facing San Jose State, Fresno State and now Louisiana but it’s hard to be too critical when you’re able to keep
stacking wins, something that other Big Ten contenders like Ohio State and Oregon are envious of.
"Even though USC opens Big Ten action up by facing Rutgers, the real questions begin for the Trojans on September 26th when the team hosts the Oregon Ducks. Oregon has faced a much tougher schedule but they’ve looked quite rough, which means that Lincoln Riley’s team should have plenty of confidence when Oregon comes to town. The offense put up nearly 500 yards of offense but defensive coordinator Gary Patterson likely won’t be happy with allowing 30 points, regardless of when the points came. It’s tough to have too much of a verdict with the new-look USC defense until the group plays a non-Rutgers Power Four program."
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This article originally appeared on Trojans Wire: UCLA analyst offers the plain truth about USC football team
