Two Options: The Trojans Will Be Great Or Average In 2026 Because There Is No Bad In The Forecast

USC football faces a pivotal crossroads: can Lincoln Riley silence doubters and deliver a breakthrough season, or is another “average” campaign looming despite a revamped roster and daunting Big Ten schedule? Marc Kulkin breaks down why the 2026 Trojans might be poised for 10+ wins—or risk stagnation—with Riley’s reliance on NIL, transfer portal moves, and a potentially Heisman-caliber quarterback in the spotlight. Are USC’s excuses running out, or will Riley prove he can win without a loaded cupboard? The episode also spotlights USC baseball’s return to the NCAA tournament for the first time since 2002, analyzing their strong regular-season performance, elite pitching, and the snub that cost them a home regional. Key questions from the Locked On USC Mailbag cover NIL tax implications, the future of conference realignment, and Trojan family traditions. Don’t miss insights, rants, and fan-favorite tunnel song debates shaping the energy around all things USC athletics. #USCTrojans #USCFootball #USCRecruiting #NotreDame  #NCAA #LincolnRiley #KingMiller #WaymondJordan #Jayden Maiava #OhioState #Oregon, #BigTenfootball #USCrecruiting  #Collegefootballplayoffs #EricMusselman Everydayer Club  If you never miss an episode, it’s time to make it official. Join the Locked On Everydayer Club and get ad-free audio, access to our members-only Discord, and more — all built for our most loyal fans. Click here to learn more and join your team’s community: https://lockedonusc.supercast.com/  Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! Indeed Listeners of this show get a $75 Sponsored Job Credit to help give your job the premium placement it deserves at http://Indeed.com/podcast   RugietGet 15% off your treatment → https://rugiet.com/lockedonnhlRugiet. Performance medicine for men. FanDuel Today's episode is brought to you by FanDuel. Right now new customers can bet just five dollars and get one-hundred and fifty dollars in bonus bets if your first bet wins. Visit https://FANDUEL.COM to get started — Play Your Game.   FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN) LISTEN: APPLE: https://apple.co/3Aveb9o SPOTIFY: https://spoti.fi/3Reye1r GOOGLE: https://bit.ly/3bHmlAT Follow Marc! TWITTER: https://twitter.com/MarcKulkinCaIt Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.