USC Trojans 2026 Season Predictions: Playoff Hopes on the Line
The USC Trojans are gearing up for what should be a wild 2026 college football season. Coming off a nine-win campaign in 2025, they’re hungry to make their mark in the Big Ten and maybe, just maybe, snag a College Football Playoff spot.
CBS Sports just dropped their win-loss predictions for every Big Ten team. They see USC finishing the regular season with the same record as last year: 9-3.
That leaves the Trojans teetering on the edge of playoff contention. But it also hints at the mix of challenges and big chances ahead.
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USC’s Predicted Wins and Losses for 2026
According to CBS Sports, USC’s expected to rack up wins against a range of non-conference and Big Ten foes. Here’s the rundown on projected wins and losses for 2026:
Predicted Wins
- San Jose State
- Fresno State Bulldogs
- Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns
- Rutgers Scarlet Knights
- Washington Huskies
- Penn State Nittany Lions
- Wisconsin Badgers
- Maryland Terrapins
- UCLA Bruins
Predicted Losses
- Oregon Ducks
- Ohio State Buckeyes
- Indiana Hoosiers
With a 9-3 overall record and 6-3 in the Big Ten, USC sits right on the playoff bubble. CBS Sports projects them landing in the Las Vegas Bowl.
The Road Ahead: A Challenging Schedule
USC’s 2026 Big Ten slate? It’s probably their toughest since jumping into the league in 2024. Their first year was rough, ending up 6-6 overall and 4-5 in Big Ten games.
But in 2025, they turned things around, finishing 9-3 overall and 7-2 in conference play.
Key Matchups to Watch
USC’s got the top three teams from last season on tap: Oregon, Ohio State, and Indiana. These games could make or break their 2026 season.
Oregon Ducks
The Ducks have been a real headache for USC, beating them in their last four meetings going back to 2019. Oregon’s made the College Football Playoff the last two years and looks like a real threat for another title run.
Ohio State Buckeyes
Ohio State? They’re a powerhouse. The Buckeyes grabbed the national title in 2024-25 and got back to the playoff again last year.
Facing them is always a gut check for any team, and USC’s no exception.
Indiana Hoosiers
Indiana’s story is wild. Coach Curt Cignetti took over in 2024, and since then, the Hoosiers made the playoff in 2024-25 and went undefeated in 2025, winning the national championship.
USC will have to travel for that one—taking on the defending champs in their house. That’s a must-watch game, no question.
Other Noteworthy Opponents
Sure, those top three are scary, but USC can’t afford to sleep on the rest—especially Penn State. The Nittany Lions just brought in Matt Campbell from Iowa State as head coach.
Campbell’s trying to get Penn State back in the playoff hunt, which only adds more spice to USC’s schedule.
The Importance of Consistency
If USC wants to make noise in 2026, consistency’s gotta be the name of the game. They’ve shown flashes against elite teams, but can they keep it up all year?
With a good mix of home and road games, they’ll need to grab every chance they get and avoid those annoying slip-ups against teams they should beat. That’s easier said than done.
Conclusion
The 2026 season could be a turning point for the USC Trojans. They’ve got a tough schedule ahead, and the expectations are sky-high.
USC might just make a splash in the Big Ten—maybe even snag a playoff spot if things break their way. CBS Sports is calling for a 9-3 record, which puts them right on that playoff bubble.
But honestly, with the talent and coaching on hand, why not hope for more?
If you want to dig deeper into USC’s 2026 outlook and see all the win-loss predictions, check out the full article on Yahoo Sports.
