Get ready, college football world, because Stewart Mandel from The Athletic just dropped a bomb: he’s got USC making the College Football Playoff for the first time *ever*, rolling into the postseason with a sweet 10-2 record. This ain’t casual pre-season fluff, either; Mandel laid out a path that sees Lincoln Riley’s squad finally crashing the biggest party in the sport. Can you even believe it?
The Recipe for a Playoff Run: Veteran Talent and a Defensive Genius
So, what’s got Mandel so fired up about the Trojans, enough to put them in the CFP mix? He’s looking at a potent mix on the field, honestly. First up, you’ve got veteran QB Jayden Maiava under center, ready to run Riley’s high-octane offense. That kind of experience is absolutely clutch, right? You need a guy who’s seen it all, who can make those big throws, and Maiava totally fits the bill. Then there’s the strong offensive line, a unit that’s gonna give Maiava the time he needs and open up some serious running lanes. But here’s the real kicker, the total game-changer everyone’s buzzing about: the ‘mad scientist’ himself, Gary Patterson, is now calling the shots as defensive coordinator! Patterson’s reputation for turning defenses into absolute nightmares for opponents speaks for itself. If he can get this USC unit playing with that kind of intensity, you absolutely gotta watch out. That’s a combo that’s just tough to stop, man: offense humming, defense shutting things down hard.
The Gauntlet Ahead: No Easy Path to 10-2
But let’s be super real for a second, hitting that 10-2 mark and punching a CFP ticket won’t be some kind of Sunday stroll. Mandel didn’t sugarcoat it; he straight-up said USC’s schedule is gonna be *rough*. We’re talking about needing a truly signature victory here, and Mandel pointed directly to beating either Oregon or Ohio State, both at home. Think about it: those are two of the absolute top teams in the entire country, entering the season as certified powerhouses. Taking down one isn’t just a win on the scoreboard; it’s a massive statement. That’s the exact kind of signature victory Lincoln Riley has been chasing ever since he got to USC, the kind that truly elevates a program. And it’s not just about winning those monstrous games, either. Mandel also stressed the critical need to avoid those infamous ‘recent road flops against an inferior foe.’ You know the ones, right? Where you roll into a seemingly easy game, maybe you’re complacent, and then you just fall flat. Those can absolutely derail a season, especially when you’re gunning for a playoff spot. Every single game matters, especially the ones you’re *supposed* to win easily.
So, the stage is totally set. Preseason predictions are flying everywhere, and USC just got a massive target painted on its back, all thanks to Mandel’s bold prediction. Can Jayden Maiava, that strong O-line, and Gary Patterson’s genius defense navigate that brutal schedule, snag a huge, program-defining win against a top-tier team, and then somehow avoid those classic road trip stumbles that always bite you? The season is literally just around the corner, and it’s gonna be wild watching Lincoln Riley and the Trojans try to prove Mandel exactly right. Get ready, folks; this is gonna be one heck of a ride!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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