As the USC Trojans prepare for the 2026 college football season, expectations remain high following a 9-4 campaign that included a 7-2 mark in Big Ten play.
The program returns quarterback Jayden Maiava under center, providing continuity after he threw for 3,711 yards with 24 touchdowns and 10 interceptions across 13 games.
He ranked second nationally in QBR at 89.9 and fifth in passing yards, delivering nine games with multiple scores. Many view the Trojans as a potential College Football Playoff sleeper once again, with head coach Lincoln Riley guiding the offense.
Yet one Big Ten coach has raised questions about whether Maiava and Riley form an ideal pairing.
Riley is widely regarded as one of the stronger coaches in the sport, but the anonymous observer noted a tendency to mold players strictly to his preferred system.
“You just got to let him be him, and Lincoln won’t do that, because he’s going to try to make him his quarterback,” the coach said. “He’s got a lot of talent, but I don’t think it’ll match up.”
Maiava’s late-season performance offered some basis for concern. He threw interceptions in seven of his final nine games as defenses adjusted and limited the explosive plays that defined earlier outings.
Riley’s challenge will involve giving the quarterback room to develop his own style rather than forcing a rigid fit that could hinder progress.
Not every voice in the conference shares that skepticism. Another Big Ten coach drew a favorable comparison between Maiava and former USC standout Caleb Williams, the Heisman Trophy winner.
“He has the ability to be a better runner than Lincoln’s had,” the coach said. “He reminds me of Caleb [Williams] in some ways. He’s a good passer, he can run, he can throw, he’s accurate and I felt like he was pretty poised back there. Guys were teeing off on him, he got hit and came back and stood back up in the pocket and kept making plays. He definitely can do that.”
If Maiava builds on his strengths and improves his ability to diagnose defenses, USC could emerge as a serious contender in the Big Ten. The schedule offers opportunities, with Oregon, Washington, and Ohio State visiting the Coliseum while road tests include Penn State, Indiana, and Wisconsin.
For Riley, whose tenure has yet to fully match early ambitions, the coming year carries significant weight. Success will depend in part on how effectively he and his returning quarterback find common ground.
