USC’s fast start has already pushed one national voice into playoff territory.
The No. 14 Trojans are 2-0, and the way they’ve gotten there has caught Joel Klatt’s attention.
Lincoln Riley’s team opened with a 42-26 win over San Jose State, then followed that up with a 39-0 rout of Fresno State. In the San Jose State game, USC had the result under control long before the finish, leading 35-3 heading into the fourth quarter with its starters still on the field.
Klatt, speaking on "The Herd with Colin Cowherd," didn’t stop at praising the start. He said he believes USC is headed for its first College Football Playoff appearance.
"After watching college football the first weekend, and I know they've played two games, I think USC is a playoff team," Klatt said. "I think the Big Ten is a four-team league, and I think that team is a playoff team.
They've got real players everywhere you need to have real players. They have freshmen who are elite."
A big part of that early buzz is coming from the freshmen. USC signed the No. 1 class in the country, and two young players have already flashed in a major way.
Wide receiver Trent Mosley has piled up 11 catches for 222 yards and three scores. Defensive end Luke Wafle’s stat line may not jump off the page, but Klatt’s point is that he has been almost unblockable.
The Trojans have also answered one of the biggest concerns that lingered after the opener. San Jose State found the end zone 23 times in the fourth quarter, but USC responded by blanking Fresno State and allowing just 116 yards.
The real test, though, is still coming. USC’s schedule includes home games against No.
6 Oregon and No. 1 Ohio State, plus a road trip to No.
5 Indiana. Those are the kinds of matchups that will show whether the Trojans can hold up against the Big Ten’s top tier.
For the moment, Klatt’s take is backed by more than hype. Jayden Maiava has been brilliant, completing 88.9% of his passes for 635 yards and five scores with no touchdowns.
Waymond Jordan has added 115 rushing yards on 19 carries and a touchdown. The defense looks sharper, the freshmen are producing, and USC has real momentum.
USC plays Louisiana on Saturday at 11:00 p.m. ET on the Big Ten Network.
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USCs strong start and national ranking have not translated into a full house at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in 2026, and the gap between the announced crowds and the number of tickets actually scanned has only sharpened the uneasy picture. Even with the Trojans drawing plenty of attention on the field, the building has not consistently looked like the kind of backdrop that usually comes with a team positioned to matter nationally.
That creates a tricky backdrop as the schedule gets more demanding, especially with Big Ten games still ahead. For now, the Louisiana matchup stands out as one of the more affordable chances for fans to get in the door, while upcoming conference games are expected to carry a much steeper price tag, leaving USC to hope the bigger stakes will finally bring a bigger crowd. [Read more 🡒]
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Lincoln Riley has taken notice of the way Bowman has prepared and developed so early, and USCs staff clearly sees room for much more at a spot that can change the shape of an offense. The Trojans now turn their attention to Louisiana, where Bowman will have another chance to keep forcing his way into the conversation. [Read more 🡒]
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Riley has pointed to the need for a more balanced attack if the Trojans are going to hold up in the Big Ten, and the early issues on the ground make that message even harder to ignore. Freshman Deshonne Redeaux has flashed enough in limited work to at least enter the conversation for more snaps, giving USC another option if the current rotation cannot clean up the small breakdowns that have slowed the run game. [Read more 🡒]