USC Trojans Football: Phil Steele 2025 Forecast

USC head coach Lincoln Riley is under pressure to perform this fall after the Trojans finished last season with a mere 7-6 record. Ahead of the season, college football expert Phil Steele analyzed USC’s team and revealed his expectations for the Trojans’ upcoming season, starting with their offense.

“Last year, they lost QB [Caleb] Williams, their top 2 RB, top 2 WR and 3 starting OL. My computer called for 412 [yards per game] and 33.2 [points per game], and they topped the yards with 437 ypg but only 30.2 ppg,” Steele wrote. “This year, they have 9 returning starters and my computer calls for 443.7 ypg.”

Despite Steele’s claims, USC isn’t returning nine offensive starters from last season. Most notably, USC lost starting quarterback Miller Moss, who transferred to Louisville this offseason.

Jayden Maiava is expected to replace Moss and be USC’s QB1 this year. Maiava made four starts for USC last season, logging 1,201 passing yards and 11 touchdowns while only throwing six interceptions.

USC will need Maiava to take his game to the next level this year if it hopes to bounce-back from its underwhelming 2024 campaign. Of course, USC’s offense isn’t the only unit that will have to perform to its potential this fall.

“Riley made a great hire [last year], bringing over UCLA’s DC D’Anton Lynn,” Steele wrote. “He brought over two of his DB’s, plus Oregon St’s #1 tackler. My computer called for them to improve to 23 ppg and and they allowed 24 ppg and 377 ypg! This year, 7 starters are back with an upgraded D-Line and will improve once again.”

USC’s defense took significant strides last season under D’Anton Lynn. In 2023, USC allowed 432.8 yards per game, the 15th-most in the country. In contrast, Lynn’s 2024 defense only gave up 377.1 yards per game.

USC added 15 players via the NCAA Transfer Portal this offseason to build on its defensive momentum. Namely, the Trojans’ defense reeled in transfer commitments from defensive lineman Keeshawn Silver and cornerback DJ Harvey.

“USC has a more manageable schedule this year (2nd easiest B10),” Steele wrote. “They do face Illinois, [Notre Dame], Nebraska and Oregon on the road, but most key indicators are pointing up. They were much better than their record and could be a surprise contender in the loaded Big Ten.”

USC will kick off its 2025 campaign with a showdown against Missouri State at 7:30 p.m ET on Aug. 30. The game will air live on the Big Ten Network.