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Where the USC Trojans landed in the Preseason Big Ten Football Poll

Erik-McKinneyby: Erik McKinney07/21/25ErikTMcKinney
USC HC Lincoln Riley
Kirby Lee | Imagn Images

The unofficial official Big Ten preseason media poll is out and the USC Trojans are looking up at a number of rivals. The Big Ten conference stopped running preseason media polls 15 years ago and in its place, cleveland.com has run them. This year, 24 voters responded and it was tight at the top.

USC landed at No. 9 in the poll as national expectations for the Trojans are nowhere near as high as they are in Los Angeles. Lincoln Riley’s program is being looked at pretty consistently as a seven or eight-win team by many national outlets. That would be a disappointing season for a team that feels it can turn some close losses in 2024 into wins while fielding an improved defense.

It’s likely voters are still taking a “prove it” stance on a Riley program putting a strong defense on the field. But the Trojans seem to have all the pieces in place to do it this season. The questions largely start on the offensive side of the ball, at quarterback and offensive line.

This year’s Big Ten poll has two clear teams out front. Penn State is picked to win the conference, earning 11 of the 24 first-place votes. Ohio State is just behind with 10 first-place votes.

Oregon earned two votes and Michigan grabbed one. There are quarterback questions to answer for the Buckeyes, Ducks and Wolverines this season.

USC’s conference slate features games against No. 3 Oregon, No. 4 Illinois, No. 5 Michigan, No. 7 Iowa and No. 8 Nebraska. The Trojans will also line up against the bottom of the conference, with games against No. 15 UCLA, No. 17 Northwestern and No. 18 Purdue

The complete Big Ten preseason poll from Cleveland.com

RankTeam (1st place)PointsAverage Rank
No. 1Penn State (11)4351.60
No. 2Ohio State (10)4311.76
No. 3Oregon (2)4052.80
No. 4Illinois3534.88
No. 5Michigan (1)3465.16
No. 6Indiana305680
No. 7Iowa2877.52
No. 8Nebraska2777.92
No. 9USC2698.24
No. 10Washington21610.36
No. 11Minnesota19211.32
No. 12Wisconsin15912.60
No. 13Michigan State13513.60
No. 13Rutgers13513.60
No. 15UCLA13413.64
No. 16Maryland9115.36
No. 17Northwestern6516.40
No. 18Purdue3917.44

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Garry Paskwietz (1966-2019)

Garry Paskwietz was a pioneer in bringing team-specific sports coverage to the internet. He founded WeAreSC in 1998 and was an Emmy winner for his work with Fox Sports West. Always generous with his time, knowledge, and compassion, he touched the lives of countless USC and high school football fans.

Garry Paskwietz