Preseason AP Top 25 Poll Expectations for USC Trojans, Lincoln Riley

The preseason college football AP Top 25 poll is set to be released on Monday, and the USC Trojans could be highly ranked.

Jul 28, 2026; Chicago, IL, USA; USC Football head coach Lincoln Riley speaks during Media Days at Hilton Chicago. | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

The preseason AP Top 25 Poll is set to be released at 9 a.m. PT on Monday, and the USC Trojans fans will find out where the program stands relative to the rest of the country.

Last preseason, the Trojans were not ranked in the top 25, but with high expectations entering this season and the return of star quarterback Jayden Maiava, some expect USC to be ranked inside the top 15 of the preseason poll. 

Where Will USC Trojans Fall In AP Top 25 Preseason Rankings?

Nov 29, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Southern California Trojans quarterback Jayden Maiava (14) and head coach Lincoln Riley react after the game against the UCLA Bruins at United Airlines Field at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

In the preseason coaches poll, the Trojans are ranked No. 14, the third-highest ranking in the Big Ten behind the Ohio State Buckeyes (No. 1), Oregon Ducks (No. 2), and defending national champions the Indiana Hoosiers (No. 6).

When the AP Top 25 poll is released, expect the Trojans to be ranked in a similar position and anywhere from No. 10 to No. 16. Expect Ohio State, Oregon, and Indiana to be ranked inside the top 10.

Other Big Ten teams that could be ranked inside the top 25 of the AP preseason poll include the Michigan Wolverines, Penn State Nittany Lions, Washington Huskies, and Iowa Hawkeyes. With the AP Top 25 poll set to be released, here’s a look at the full AP Top 25 poll prediction. 

AP Top 25 Preseason Poll Prediction 

1. Ohio State
2. Oregon
3. Texas
4. Georgia
5. Notre Dame
6. Indiana
7. Miami
8. Texas A&M
9. Ole Miss 
10. Oklahoma
11. Texas Tech
12. LSU
13. Alabama
14. USC 
15. Michigan 
16. BYU
17. Penn State
18. Washington
19. Tennessee
20. Utah
21. SMU
22. Iowa
23. Clemson
24. Missouri 
25. Houston

Biggest Questions For USC Trojans Entering 2026 Season

Jul 28, 2026; Chicago, IL, USA; USC student-athlete Jayden Maiava speaks during Media Days at Hilton Chicago. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

The Trojans are looking to make the College Football Playoff for the first time in program history this season in what will be the fifth year under coach Lincoln Riley. As they have in every season under Riley, the Trojans will likely field one of the best offenses in college football, and returning starting quarterback Maiava will lead the way as a potential Heisman Trophy contender. 

In his first season as the Trojans' starting quarterback, Maiava led the Big Ten in passing, throwing for 3,711 yards, 24 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions, with the country’s second-best QBR of 89.9.

In key games for the Trojans this season, which include home matchups against the Oregon Ducks and Ohio State Buckeyes, along with road tests with the Indiana Hoosiers and Penn State Nittany Lions, Maiava looks to cut back on his turnovers, which were costly in USC’s three regular-season losses last year that kept them out of the CFP. 

Oct 16, 2021; Norman, Oklahoma, USA; TCU Horned Frogs head coach Gary Patterson during the game against the Oklahoma Sooners at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports | USA TODAY Sports

It’s the performance of the Trojans' defense, however, which could be the biggest factor in USC making the CFP. The Trojans' defense in the past four seasons under Riley has helped USC back. This was on full display last season, as in the Trojans' three regular-season losses, which all came on the road to the Illinois Fighting Illini, Notre Dame Fighting Irish, and Oregon Ducks, the Trojans' defense gave up 30-plus points. 

Under new defensive coordinator Gary Patterson, this is a struggle that must change if the Trojans hope to make the CFP, while facing one of the most difficult schedules in college football. The difficult schedule, however, shouldn’t be an excuse if the Trojans season doesn’t feature a CFP appearance again. 

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