Rutgers’ 2026 matchup with USC already looks like one of the softer spots on the Trojans’ Big Ten schedule.
The Scarlet Knights are coming off a rough offseason on offense, and the biggest hit is the departure of starting quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis. He was the driving force behind the unit, and without him, Rutgers is staring at a much tougher path. Antwan Raymond and KJ Duff remain the two most notable pieces on that side of the ball, but they can’t cover every gap on their own.
Bjorn Bergstrom’s recent projection paints an even bleaker picture for Rutgers. He wrote:
"Given the loss of experienced quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis, the Scarlet Knights don't project to be very good offensively. Running back Antwan Raymond will have to carry a heavy load in his second season as the starter. Those issues, combined with a porous defense, mean a winless season in conference play could be on the table."
Rutgers went 5-7 last season and was among the stronger teams in the conference’s lower tier. This year, Bergstrom has them battling Purdue for the bottom spot in the Big Ten.
That doesn’t mean Rutgers lacks any dangerous individual talent. The Scarlet Knights have players who can pop for a big game here and there. But as a team, they look like one of the opponents top programs will want to handle cleanly, and USC should be in that group.
The Trojans are set to meet Rutgers in Week 4, and that game could serve as a useful tune-up before a much bigger test against Oregon.
In Other News...
USC Fall Camp Opens With One Position Battle Looming Over Everything
USCs fall camp opens with the roster in a familiar place for a program trying to climb back toward the top: plenty of talent, plenty of new faces, and more than a few jobs still up for grabs. The Trojans have mixed proven returners like linebacker Desman Stephens II and defensive lineman Jahkeem Stewart with additions such as linebacker Deven Bryant and tight end Tucker Ashcraft, giving the staff a deeper look at several spots that could shape the season.
The most intriguing part of camp may be how quickly the younger players force their way into the conversation, especially at tight end, wide receiver and in the secondary. Mark Bowman brings the kind of buzz that can change a room early, while USC will also be sorting out how its receiver and cornerback groups settle in behind the top names. For a team with real depth questions and a few potential breakout players, the first stretch of camp should reveal which position battle matters most. [Read more 🡒]
USCs 2026 Run Game Suddenly Hinges On One Troubling Question
Waymond Jordan was already positioned to be the centerpiece of USCs rushing attack in 2026 before the injury against Michigan changed the conversation around him. Even after a limited spring because of a procedure, he still looks like the most dynamic back on the roster and one of the more important leaders in the room, which is why the Trojans have spent so much time thinking about what the offense looks like with him at full strength.
King Miller is the next name up if Jordan is not available, with Riley Wormley, Deshonne Redeaux and Shahn Alston also in the mix behind him. USC has enough bodies to keep the backfield moving, but the bigger question is whether any of them can match the steadiness Jordan has already shown in the situations that matter most. [Read more 🡒]
USC Legends Are Surrounding This Program And Recruits Can Feel It
USCs recruiting pitch has always leaned on tradition, but this spring and summer it has felt more tangible than nostalgic. Former Trojans such as Marcus Allen, Willie McGinest, Mike Williams and Ronnie Lott have not just been name-dropped around the program, they have shown up, sat in on games, spoken to recruits on official visits and taken part in team events. For current players and visitors, that means the history is not sitting in a trophy case somewhere. It is walking the sideline, shaking hands and reinforcing what it means to wear the jersey.
The effect matters because recruits notice who is around when they are being asked to imagine their next three or four years. Allen, McGinest and Lott have each had chances to connect with young players, while recent USC stars have also been visible around offseason work and spring practice, adding another layer to the message. For a program trying to keep its momentum in recruiting, the presence of so many familiar faces gives the pitch extra weight, and it is part of why the Trojans can sell more than a depth chart and a facility tour. [Read more 🡒]