The Big Ten media days kicked off this week, and Wednesday was the first-day many media members got to speak with head coaches from all 18 schools. The big talk around the week has been about the league's newest schools. With the addition of Washington, Oregon, UCLA, and USC, the Big Ten conference has become the largest conference in college football.
The consensus around the league is that Ohio State and Oregon are the heavy front runners to collide against each other in the Big Ten Championship this winter, with Penn State as the heavily favored third team in the conference.
However, if you ask USC head coach Lincoln Riley, his squad should be considered the league's favorite. When asked on Wednesday morning at the Big Ten media days about his plans to compete against the top schools in the conference, Riley said, “We are at the top of the conference. I don’t ever look at ourselves below anybody, and I never will.”
He then followed up by saying, “I am not a magician. Look where Oregon and Ohio State were two years ago versus us. These things take time.”
Lincoln Riley was asked what his plan is for #USC to compete at the top of the Big Ten in recruiting with the likes of Ohio State and Oregon.
— Ryan Young (@RyanYoungRivals) July 24, 2024
“We are at the top of the Big Ten Conference. … I don’t ever look at ourselves below anybody and I never will.”https://t.co/JDzA4houEJ pic.twitter.com/pTHBNb87f1
After a disappointing 8-5 season a year ago and now a Caleb Williams-sized hole at the quarterback position, the Trojans will have a tough road to making it to the conference title game this December. Luckily for USC, their schedule is considered favorable compared to most of their counterparts in the conference. They avoided both Ohio State and Oregon and get to play Penn State at home. However, with games against LSU and Michigan also still on the calendar, Riley will have to get the absolute most out of his group to try and make it to the big dance.
