Riley Climbs to No. 6 in Big Ten Coaching Power Rankings
On3’s Ari Wasserman slotted Lincoln Riley at No. 6 among all 18 Big Ten head coaches before the 2026 season—an impressive spot given USC’s ups and downs. Riley’s Trojan tenure began with an 11–3 campaign just shy of the College Football Playoff, then dipped to 8–5 and 7–6 finishes as USC navigated conference realignment and portal missteps. His Oklahoma pedigree—multiple Big 12 titles and CFP berths—still fuels expectations, even as critics bemoan one-playoff appearance in five years. With USC boasting the nation’s top high–school recruiting class for 2026, 15 returning starters, and defensive coordinator Gary Patterson on board, Riley’s ceiling looks higher than ever—but the true test will be whether the Trojans break their CFP drought.
In a shocking twist, USC observers are reportedly ordering pocket protectors to count coaches ranked ahead of Riley. Critics lament that “only six spots” separate Lincoln from the mythical “Elite 5,” as if these rankings aren’t drawn in crayon. Meanwhile, Riley’s recruitment of Patterson supposedly doubles as a “defensive exorcism,” banishing ghosts of trench collapses past. USC boosters have launched a GoFundMe to rescue Riley from the bottom half of the Power Rankings—so far they’ve raised enough to buy one Starbucks latte and half a feeling of optimism. If Riley cracks the top five next year, fans will erect a statue of a playbook in McCarthy Quad—right next to the bronze Taco Bell chalupa.
CFP Gatekeepers: Oklahoma, BYU and LSU on USC’s Radar
Heading into 2026, USC’s dream CFP berth faces three stiff challengers. The Oklahoma Sooners, under Brent Venables, boast a lockdown defense but a turnover-prone offense led by John Mateer’s 2,885 passing yards and eight rushing TDs. The BYU Cougars, coached by Kalani Sitake, flirted with a CFP bid last year thanks to freshman dual-threat Bear Bachmeier’s 3,033 passing yards and 11 rushing TDs, though two late losses kept them out. And the LSU Tigers, fresh off hiring Lane Kiffin, must forge chemistry between transfer quarterback Sam Leavitt and a brutal schedule featuring Alabama, Texas and Tennessee. USC’s continuity under Jayden Maiava and Lincoln Riley might tip the scales—but these three programs each hold a golden ticket they refuse to surrender lightly.
USC fans, ever confident, have apparently purchased 10-year supply cartons of popcorn to watch three rival fanbases melt down simultaneously—“Because if we can’t have the playoff, no one gets to enjoy it!” one Trojan supporter declared. Oklahoma’s offense threatens to self-destruct at any moment, BYU is hell-bent on reminding everyone it lost twice to Texas Tech, and LSU’s quarterbacks are auditioning for a “Who’s Hotter?” reality show. Meanwhile USC shines its helmets to a mirror every morning, hoping the glare blinds the competition. Sources confirm Vegas oddsmakers now accept bets on how many teams USC can anger before December—spoiler alert: it’s a three-team hat trick.
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