Big Ten football preseason poll: USC picked 9th, UCLA 15th
Coach Lincoln Riley leads the Trojans into a season of high expectations, while transfer quarterback Nico Iamaleava is set to make his debut with the Bruins
Haley Sawyer (OC Register) — The USC football team cracked the top 10 in the Big Ten Conference preseason poll, and UCLA is predicted to finish in the bottom half of the conference.
The Trojans are picked ninth and the Bruins are 15th in the annual preseason media poll released by Cleveland.com, which began compiling predictions after the Big Ten ceased to issue a poll 15 years ago.
Twenty-four media members participated, including beat writers from all 18 Big Ten teams.
USC went 7-6 overall last season, 4-5 in Big Ten play.
Lincoln Riley enters his fourth season as the Trojans’ head coach with expectations looming. Eight of USC’s games last season were decided by seven points or less, including a 33-30 overtime loss to Penn State, which was picked first overall in this year’s poll.
Accomplished defensive coordinator D’Anton Lynn is back for his second year with USC, while the Trojans will need to make a statement both on the offensive line and at quarterback.
Zach Hanson takes over as the O-line coach this season after last year’s group allowed 21 sacks. Jayden Maiava is expected to start at quarterback this season after former quarterback Miller Moss transferred to Louisville.
Maiava threw for 1,201 yards and 11 touchdowns while rushing for 91 yards and four touchdowns in seven games last season, taking over as the starter during the season.
UCLA and second-year head coach Deshaun Foster find themselves staring up at most of the conference based on the poll.
The Bruins produced multiple NFL Draft picks last season – including linebackers Carson Schwesinger and Oluwafemi Oladejo – but struggled to win games in their first season in the Big Ten, finishing 5-7 overall and 3-6 in conference play.
The defense loses key pieces like Schwesinger, Oladejo and Kain Medrano, but it’s the offense that will be in the spotlight. UCLA added Tennessee transfer quarterback Nico Iamaleava to its roster in the spring.
The 6-foot-6 redshirt freshman threw for 2,616 yards and 19 touchdowns with five interceptions for Tennessee last season.
Here’s the complete preseason B1G poll:
No. 1 Penn State (11 first-place votes)
No. 2 Ohio State (10 first-place votes)
No. 3 Oregon (two first-place votes) (vs USC Nov. 22 in Eugene)
No. 4 Illinois (vs USC Sept. 27 in Champaign)
No. 5 Michigan (one first-place vote, vs USC Oct. 11 in L.A.)
No. 6 Indiana
No. 7 Iowa (vs USC Nov. 15 in L.A.)
No. 8 Nebraska (vs USC Nov. 1 in Lincoln)
No. 9 USC
No. 10 Washington
No. 11 Minnesota
No. 12 Wisconsin
No. 13 (tie) Michigan State (vs USC Sept. 20 in L.A.)
No. 13 (tie) Rutgers
No. 15 UCLA (vs USC Nov. 29 in L.A.)
No. 16 Maryland
No. 17 Northwestern (vs USC Nov. 7 in L.A.)
No. 18 Purdue (vs USC Sept. 13 in West Lafayette)
ocregister.com
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Barry Odom (from UNLV) at PUR (1-11 last year and lost to IU 66-0) is the lone new HC in the B1G this year.
USC, in its first away game, plays the Boilers in game three on Sept. 13 in West Lafayette, IN. PUR has to then play in South Bend the following week. So USC is their tune-up for the Irish.
There will literally be 54 new transfers on this PUR team.
If this isn’t Slaughter City in favor of USC …
Oh my goodness….President Trump just signed an executive order which prohibits payments from third parties to college players. I have no idea what this means but I have a feeling this site is going to be discussing whatever it means for a long time. The order is described as something to save amateur college sports.
Here we go again.
A waste of time and money spent on lawyers. The Supreme Court has already ruled, unanimously, Alston v NCAA. Lets throw in O’Bannon v NCAA, (SCOTUS refused the NCAA appeal), House v. NCAA, Carter v. NCAA, and Hubbard v. NCAA. The “amateur college sports” ship has sailed. One day the POTUS does something that looks good, then the next day does something really dumb. But hey, steady work for lawyers.
Direct Compensation (the dreaded pay-for-pay), permissible brand endorsements, women’s and non-revenue sports, “employment categorization/status” and college athlete stability remain as on-the-table topics that haven’t been resolved regardless of prior court decisions. Here’s a summary of what Trump’s executive order entails. Prohibiting Third-Party Pay-for-Play Payments: The order bans payments to college athletes from third parties that are structured as direct compensation for playing for a school. Permitting Fair Market Value Compensation: The order clarifies that it does not restrict athletes from receiving “legitimate, fair-market-value compensation” from third parties for things like brand endorsements. Targeting “Pay-for-Play” Inducements: This specifically aims at arrangements often facilitated by… Read more »
Lincoln Riley getting ready to speak at the B1G media days
R.I.P. Hulk, a very proud good guy American sportsman and the originator of “Hulkamania.” A true original, you died too young.
This is not meant to support any particular political party, person, or position.
This huge, colorful magnetic wrestler literally redefined American entertainment in some ways and drove massive crowds wild with his larger-than-life flamboyant enthusiasm.
RIP
I look at the above prediction as a challenge to the Big “10”. Putting USC ninth in the conference is crazy. You only have to look at the number of close losses last season to know there was a lot of “home cookin’ “ going on with the B1G refs. The playing field was far from level last season and more than once the end result favored the B1G old guard against the newcomers. From the disingenuous “officiating” the ability to say, “look at us,” to the other conferences. “We’re so strong that even the weaker teams beat the mighty… Read more »
The big difference I noticed with the officiating is the Big10 refs tend to keep their flag deep in their pockets as opposed to the Pac12 refs who’s flag was a hot potato. The most egregious call was the “the pile moved so he must have got in” TD for the Gophers. That was on the video review guys, the refs called it for USC. USC had close loses because of Riley. USC is ranked 9th because Riley is still the HC.
Coming from Indy……where the NCAA HQ is…….the refs in the BIG generally protect the playoff teams…..it’s all about the cash. It’s also a more physical brand of football. Let them play. Which feeds right into running more than passing. It’s not just the weather and coaching which causes midwest teams to run more. Some, not all, midwest refs (who have a somewhat TV image of the west) hate what they think of as the easy beach life style west coast…..not my opinion…..and certainly not reality…….sorry about being the messenger. The image and behavior of Riley on the sidelines vs most… Read more »
All the more reason to run a physical balanced offense. Makes some sense that tie goes to the better ranked team. Helps your conference brand. If not for Riley, USC still should have beat Michigan, Penn St and definitely Minnesota, Washington and Maryland. The fastest dragster will suck at the 24hrs of Le Mans. Play by the rules of the game.
exactly
Really? B1G fans really think of USC as just another IOWA, one of the most mediocre, non-elite teams in CFB year in and year out since before I ever even pretended to play football on my front lawn?
Sorry, and please don’t take this the wrong way, but that’s just plain stupid of any fans who actually think that.
That actually makes me laugh. I thought B1G fans were smarter than that. I guess not. 😂 😂
LOL…..your blood boiling? Good……let’s show them in a year or two who’s the boss!
It’s been a long time since we played a team like Ohio State or Georgia and were favored.
Teams come and go…..Illinois has won 5 national football championships…..but nobody thinks of them, as even 2nd tier. It’s time for USC to show it’s not over. We belong on the national stage.
By the way….Iowa (that also has 5 national football championships) plays USC this year at the Colly….. show them.
Blood boiling. 😂 😂 hah, hah. You mistake that for laughing. IOWA football has never been a pimple on USC’s butt and never willl be. And I can’t help it, sorry. I’m laughing about the fact you would actually point out that IOWA won or split NCs in 1921, 22, 56, 58, and maybe 60 (not by either AP or UPI). Really? Are the 50’s even considered “modern football”? I’m serious. I wouldn’t be crowing about such long ago, forgotten success followed by a giant 65 year disappearing act. Teams come and go? Maybe if you’re mediocre programs like IOWA… Read more »
Well…..sometimes I am stupid……glad I’am entertaining you and me……and I understand your response…..but to some fans most of what USC accomplished is now aging just as much as those Iowa wins. 2003 and 4 are now 22 years ago…..aside from that we’re going all the way back to 78……47 years ago. If it had not been for Pete……and he got not much help from our admin during his time. Just to be reasonable and more accurate……Let’s say USC is 2A and the other 4 including Iowa are 2B…..but USC in the first tier….IMO out here most don’t see it that… Read more »
USC last won NCs in 2003 and 2004. 2004 seems like yesterday to me. IOWA last won in ’58, when I was six years old and hunting lizards daily. I just don’t see the NC comparison between the two schools outside of a big laugh. I know you say most fans out your way don’t see the wild, obvious difference. I honestly had no idea. Shocker, huh! Especially as I just spent a couple of weeks with a large amount of Buckeye fans in Scotland and Ireland. We talked a little about CFB (between castles) and they have enormous respect… Read more »
OK……..well at least you and I had a good discussion….we disagree but so what……hopefully we’ll be laughing after mediocre Iowa leaves LA this year. I recall a score of 49 to 24 the last time we played them.😎
Since it’s your site and I’am just a humble midwesterner….the last comment is yours.
This year’s outcome between IOWA and USC won’t alter my opinion. USC’s still trying to get out from under the horrific Reggie Bush/NCAA beatdown which was so crippling (believe it or not). Had that not happened, who knows how much longer PC would have stayed and won huge for a few more years. Guys like Lane Kiffin and Sark may have never even had to cut their teeth on the USC head job before they were ready. When IOWA’s good, even winning the conference is always a huge crapshoot. When USC’s good, we win NCs, or at least Rose Bowls.… Read more »
They so easily and soon forget all those Rose Bowl beatings of their top dog at the hands of those soft Southern Californians.
Get rid of the ball a lot faster Caleb Williams… Remember how the big question about #1 Draft pick Caleb Williams in the NFL was whether he could learn to get rid of the ball quicker and stop with the “Hero Ball” stuff which he lived on at USC. Well, Caleb (who had ten fumbles last year) still needs to do a lot of work on getting rid of the ball much quicker than he did with the Bears last year, or when he was at USC. Jason McIntyre (co-host on The Herd with Colin Cowherd) — “Gee, who could have… Read more »
Caleb will have a much better line this year……..I hope he does well…..but the NFL Draft is starting to resemble the NBA draft……draft on possibilities instead of performance. I almost giggle over the dollars being handed out to folks that can’t play. Who is grading these people. It’s all about headlines. I live in Indy with a dude that plays QB for the Colts that was drafted 4th and can’t play. 50% accuracy and gets hurt every time he steps out.
From out in your neck of the woods, do football fans in general seem to be pleased with Caleb’s first year? Do they blame Caleb for being part of his own sack problem, because he often simply holds on to the ball too long, a longstanding complaint about his game. Or do they see him much more as a victim of the team’s deficiencies?
New offensive-minded HC Ben Johnson as well as a better O-line will be a great benefit to Caleb, who obviously still needs a lot of coaching. He basically ignored LR’s play calls during the 2023 season.
Well……after a lifetime in the Chicago area I do maintain a few connections to folks close to the Bears…..IMO the attitude is that poor Caleb has been mis coached for several years. They brought in Johnson and talent on the O line to help him max what they believe is generational talent. They expect to see a big improvement this year. My own opinion is it may be too late. I hope he shows big improvement this year. I think the QB whisperer Riley nearly ruined him. Yesterday I pledged not to cut Riley’s past screw ups…..so I’ll end it… Read more »
I still have high hopes for Caleb, who is spectacularly talented but undisciplined. I agree with you, but I don’t think it’s too late to fix him.
If ever a QB needed to be coached up through his locked-in-run-first-hold-the-ball-too-long approach, it’s Caleb.
It occurred to me that Riley, the famous “quarterback whisper” became the “quarterback follower” behind Caleb’s playing style. Riley took a knee and let Caleb run the offense. It showed last season with quarterback decisions. Riley did Caleb a disservice by allowing him too much free rein.
I agree. “Hero Ball” was never gonna be a recipe for sustained long-term success. It was often spectacular, yet ineffective.
Watching LR and Caleb negotiate USC play-calling duties was a bizarre look at a relationship where the pupil seemed to overtake the teacher.
Not to mention the poor OL players who at over 300 pounds in warm weather were sucking air by the 4th quarter. Even the best trained ol player is not prepared to hold blocks for 20 seconds and run sideline to sideline for every play..
USC top recruit Alijjah Arenas needs surgery for knee injury and will be out 6 to 8 months LOS ANGELES (AP) — Alijah Arenas ‘ college basketball career is on hold before the highly touted freshman has played his first game. He was diagnosed with a knee injury that will require surgery and rehab is expected to take at least six to eight months, the school said Wednesday. “Alijah is a tremendous worker, teammate, competitor, and person,” USC coach Eric Musselman. “He is understandably disappointed that he will not be able to take the court to start the season, but his health… Read more »
Reports say a torn meniscus. There are two choices for surgery. Cut it out, meniscectomy, quick recovery but osteoarthritis long term. Repair it if possible, long recovery but good long term health for the knee. Good for him they can repair it. Fight On Alijjah, see you next season.
Anybody agree with this Trojan’s sentiment?
“I firmly believe Longstreet has the goods to be a terrific college QB and Riley needs to start him and let him grow through the easy front end of the schedule…Maiava is simply mediocre at best and will get you a middle of the pack result.”
Yep!…..get ready for next year and the year after. No need to lose a year of development.
This 2025 USC team has some absolutely huge question marks, probably none greater than what the heck is gonna happen at QB for USC? So much of this Trojan team is new and unproven. So much anxiety has been building up among Trojan fans over the last several years. Watching Trojan football for far too long now has been like watching a pot that occasionally gets hot but absolutely refuses to boil. As the season deliciously draws nearer and nearer, the media continues to show steadfast skepticism about USC’s chances. They want to see that USC’s football pot is actually… Read more »
Pete did it with Barkley and it worked out okay, but then Bark had a really good team around him. This team is not quite the same.
I agree with this suggestion. Longstreet is the QB that will lead the class of 2026 for their next 2 or maybe even 3-seasons if he proves to be another Caleb Williams. Riley needs to play both Longstreet & Huard in these first 3/4 games. Longstreet to give him some game experience and Huard as the backup in case Maiava gets hurt.
I have pretty much discounted Sam Huard as nothing more than a clipboard-holding practice player based on what he looked like at UW and UTAH. Maybe I’m way off-base here, because I just don’t know enough about Huard, in part because I never hear anything about him, ever. All the talk is always about Longstreet as the first-option backup as I read the room. USC has to win now. If Maiava falters, I’m hoping Longstreet has what it takes to immediately step in and take over as a frosh. If USC ends up actually starting Huard in 2025 over Longstreet,… Read more »
I am in agreement, but would be delighted to be wrong about Maieva. But I think Longstreet needs to be used extensively this season.
If the USC defense is one touchdown per game better this season and the offense is consistent they will have a floor of 10 wins. If the offense is dynamic and improves over last season they will be contenders. Yes, I am wearing my cardinal colored glasses today. I am sure there are those that hate Riley that will disagree, but this is simply based on what they did last season.
There are reasons for skepticism about our team. Specifically QB, where Maiava runs hot and cold, and our starting guards on the O Line. But so many “experts” who believe we are no better than a mid range B1G conference team lead with claims like “Riley’s teams never play defense” or the” Trojans can’t improve until they get the defense figured out”. That kind of analysis tells me that writer has done no research. I only expect 8 wins this year. The schedule is tougher than most people realize. But our defense is going to be good, maybe very good.… Read more »
Question for you PN4SC. You say that you believe the USC schedule is “tougher than most people realize.” Care to expand? I don’t see USC’s schedule as very tough in 2025 for many reasons. We don’t play the B1G’s top two teams, OHIO ST and PSU. Big break there. We have two perfectly well-placed byes, before MICH at home and NEB away. Our first four games should be complete cake walks, giving USC time to let the QB situation become more settled. Once again, UCLA looks like it’s very down and groveling for morsels. Uber-weak NW barely has a pulse… Read more »
It may be manageable, but there is more to the schedule than Oregon and the Irish.I believe Nebraska will take a big leap in Rhule’s 3rd season, like at Baylor and Temple. Illinois and Michigan could be really good, but that is a big unknown.Iowa finally has a QB, and might be good also, but the Hawkeyes have been overrated in the past. It could be you are right, and outside of the two really tough road games, USC will be favored in every other match up. We won’t really know until about the end of September.The 4 game stretch… Read more »
UTAH, MINN and IOWA drive more revenue than USC football
USC is definitely the outlier in this list with a disproportionately low revenue for its valuation. Higher revenue for MN I get, it’s a pretty good sports crazy state with the Vikings, Twins,Wild and Timberwolves. But Utah and Iowa?!?! Wow. I get the whole dilution of fan spend in So Cal angle, and that so many So Cal residents have historically been transplants from elsewhere, and the international demographic makeup of the population, but still. I’d love to see the historical time series of revenue to valuation for these programs for the last 100 years. That would be an interesting… Read more »
Ok, i am fighting a migraine today, but where is University of Minnesota on the list pictured above? Am I missing something Allen?
The point is USC football simply doesn’t make nearly as much money as the other most “highly-valued” elite programs. It’s the unique shool on this list.
USC gets put at #8 (what it could be sold for on the open market like a pro franchise) only because of its “brand power” and glitzy L.A. location, while schools like UTAH, MINN and UTAH (and many more) make more money but still don’t have anywhere near the value of USC’s brand.
Ok, thanks. As I said I have been a bit slow on the uptake, today….
I took a look at the article because the revenue was so out of line. The average revenue is for the last 3 available years. USC was getting Pac12 money ’22-24, at $36, $33 and $31 million. Starting in ’24-25 school year USC will be getting Big10 money, $70-$100 million a year. So if you add another $50-55 million to USC’s average revenue, that’s $125 million. That is on par with the rest who are already getting SEC and Big10 money. Ohio State’s money is not as much as I would think compared to the others in the top 5.
I think SC will end up in the Top 5 in the Big10 and should be no worse than 10-2 or 9-3 this season. Most of the teams picked ahead of us have lost players and will not be as good as they were in 2024.
I hope I am wrong, but I think the QB position will let us down. Also, count on LR’s 4th quarter play calling and time mgmt.to lose us one or two more games.
So you believe nothing will change? Jeez, I hope you are wrong doc.
Well i am a doctor (dentist)–always confident, sometimes correct!😁😁
In Healthcare we “practice” our whole careers!
Paul Finebaum Goes After USC Trojans’ Lincoln Riley Again Before Big Ten Media Days College Football analyst Paul Finebaum delivered a scathing unprompted critique of USC Trojans coach Lincoln Riley. In a recent interview, Finebaum called Riley “fraudulent,” questioning his coaching performance over the past two seasons. Finebaum’s comments add to growing scrutiny surrounding Riley’s tenure. Nathan Fusco (si.com) — ESPN analyst Paul Finebaum didn’t hold back in a recent unprompted tirade against USC Trojans coach Lincoln Riley. Speaking on the Dari Nowkhah Show on Tuesday, Finebaum slammed Riley’s performance over the last two seasons at USC and questioned the Trojans coach’s… Read more »
Someone needs to tell Paul Finebaum to get over it and pull the stick out of his a** as far as hating on SC.
I hope SC has a great season so Finebaum has to eat his words.
I agree with you on Finebaum. Heather Dinich can eat hers too!
Let’s forget the past and worry about the future. Every Trojan fan wants him to improve in 25. Finebaum has to write or say so many things per day to make his living. I pledge to simply discuss the performance we experience this year from now on with no further comment on the past. It’s over for me. The past is the past. Let’s go 12-0!.
He’s just doubling down on his previous statements. Nothing new to see here, move along.
But, it’s hard to argue his points. LR is absolutely in a “prove it or lose it” spot now of his own making.
I hope the team and staff rise up and shock the naysayers this year.
Fight On!!!
I always wonder what the mouth of the south would say about Riley if USC were in the SEC.
Finebaum looks funny and he hates any man not wearing AL colors who is more handsome than angry Paul.