USC Coach Lincoln Riley Says Program Is Close to Playoff Contention

USC head football coach Lincoln Riley said the Trojans are close to playoff contention after several seasons of missing the expanded field. Riley spoke at recent Big Ten meetings. He said the program has improved in talent acquisition, roster construction, and on-field execution.

"It's May, right? But looking at it in May, there's definitely a real difference. It's tangible. It's not just hope," Riley said, according to CBS Sports.

Riley compiled a 55-10 record at Oklahoma, including three straight 12-win seasons and four New Year's Six bowl appearances. He took over at USC before the 2022 season. In 2022, USC finished one win from the Pac-12 title and a potential playoff berth before a late-season injury to quarterback Caleb Williams. The Trojans have not approached the playoff since.

Riley said the Trojans were "literally snaps away" from the playoff last season. USC led Illinois late in the fourth quarter before falling and also had scoring chances against Notre Dame. The 2026 schedule includes road games at Indiana, Penn State, and Wisconsin plus home games against Ohio State, Oregon, and Washington.

A win total of nine games could still be viewed as successful by some observers, but Riley said reaching the playoff will require at least 10 wins. Riley also said he has grown as a coach. "I'm a lot better coach than at any point during the years at Oklahoma," he said.

The USC athletic department now operates under general manager Chad Bowden, and the program signed the nation's top recruiting class for the upcoming cycle.