Alright, let’s break down what’s brewing in college football as we look ahead to next season. We’ve just wrapped up the 2024 campaign, and while the pads are temporarily hung up, the off-season is anything but quiet. We’ve got spring football on the horizon, the always-intriguing transfer portal window about to swing open, and a brand new revenue-sharing model set to change the game. It’s a lot to keep track of, but that’s why we’re here.
With the winter transfer portal closed and the coaching carousel finally slowing down, it’s time to look at the teams that are poised to be the talk of the college football world next season. Here’s a look at one program in particular that’s got a lot of eyes on them.
USC
The Trojans are a team that’s definitely got people talking, and not all of it’s good. It’s no secret that their record has taken a step back each year under Lincoln Riley. After a big splash 11-3 season when he arrived in 2022, they dropped to 8-5 in 2023 and then again to 7-6 in 2024. Now, while Riley has a significant buyout on his contract, the pressure is definitely on.
Their first year in the Big Ten was a mixed bag. They started hot with wins over two SEC teams – taking down LSU in their opener and Texas A&M in the Las Vegas Bowl. But five tight losses in conference play really put a damper on things. This really highlights how competitive things are in the modern game.
Looking ahead, the team’s fortunes could hinge on the progress of quarterback Jayden Maiava and the continued growth of the defense under coordinator D’Anton Lynn. If those two aspects come together, USC could be a force. However, their 2025 schedule is a beast. They’ve got road games against Illinois, Notre Dame, and Oregon, plus a home game against Michigan. That’s a gauntlet that’ll test them every week.
Let’s be real, the offense under Riley has never been the problem. With talented receivers like Makai Lemon and Jakobi Lane returning to catch passes from Maiava, they should continue to put up points. The real question mark is on the other side of the ball. They do have some top-end talent returning, like safety Kamari Ramsey, defensive end Anthony Lucas, and linebacker Eric Gentry. But can the defense hold its own? It might be a make-or-break year for the Trojans who, interestingly, could begin the season unranked for the first time since 2019. There’s a lot on the line for USC in the upcoming season.
