Latest news with #LincolnRiley
USA Today
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- USA Today
LA Coliseum not ranked in 25 toughest stadiums to play in EA Sports College Football 26
While the start of the 2025 college football season is still a couple of months away, one thing fans can look forward to is the release of EA Sports College Football 26. After the popular college football video game franchise returned from a decade-long hiatus last year, the revamped version is back for round two this year, with release scheduled for early July. On Tuesday, EA Sports released a load of information about College Football 26. One such reveal was a list of the top 25 most difficult road stadiums to play at in the game. The Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, home of the USC Trojans, did not make the cut. Eight Big Ten stadium's did make the rankings, however: Penn State's Beaver Stadium at No. 2, Ohio State's Ohio Stadium at No. 3, Oregon's Autzen Stadium at No. 9, Michigan's Michigan Stadium at No. 10, Wisconsin's Camp Randall Stadium at No. 15, Washington's Husky Stadium at No. 18, Iowa's Kinnick Stadium at No. 19, and Michigan State's Spartan Stadium at No. 24. In addition, Notre Dame Stadium, home of USC's archrival Notre Dame, came in at No. 21. USC fans will likely be somewhat frustrated by the Coliseum's omission. The reality is, however, that the stadium has not truly been a super intimidating place to play for opposing teams since the Pete Carroll era. While attendance has improved quite a bit over the past few years—and is certainly miles above that of the other LA school—the Trojans do not pack their home stadium to the brim every week the way that many other schools do. If Lincoln Riley can get things rolling at USC, then perhaps the Coliseum could become a fortress once again. But for now, it is hard to argue with its omission from EA's list.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
USC's 'Best Case Scenario' Revealed Before 2025 College Football Season
USC's 'Best Case Scenario' Revealed Before 2025 College Football Season originally appeared on Athlon Sports. USC turned to the offseason in reinventing itself following a dismal 2024. The Trojans ramped up their recruiting efforts to rise to the top of the rankings there. But will that be enough to lift them to No. 1 after the College Football Playoffs this season? Advertisement Tom Fornelli of CBS Sports weighed in on the best and worst case scenarios for each team in the Big Ten Conference. That included what the odds are in winning the conference, plus what victory ceiling each team could hit. USC, again, is fresh off a 7-6 campaign. The Trojans have declined in the victories category since Lincoln Riley led an 11-3 campaign in his first season of 2022. Can Riley and the Trojans hit that winning mark once again? Fornelli wrote down the "best case scenario" for USC. Southern California Trojans head coach Lincoln Lee-Imagn Images He envisions at best, an 11-1 overall season with a berth in the postseason. Fornelli also shared which team is fully capable of tripping up the Trojans. Advertisement "Lincoln Riley is an offensive genius again, Jayden Maiava plays like his next Heisman winner and the departures at receiver prove to be addition by subtraction," Fornelli began. "More importantly, the time and effort put into rebuilding the defense since last offseason starts to bear real fruit, as the USC defense becomes a top-half unit in the league." Fornelli doesn't believe this defense will become elite. But will do enough to assist the offense. So which team does Fornelli believe can knock off these Trojans? "The only loss comes on the road against Notre Dame, which means the Trojans go 9-0 in Big Ten play and qualify for their first Big Ten Championship Game," he wrote. "Win or lose, they're in the College Football Playoff." The bar is set higher now as Riley enters season four in Los Angeles. USC was even given a +2400 chance to claim the Big Ten title. Related: USC Commit Earns Unique Comparison to Wrestling Legend This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 24, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
'Worst Case Scenario' for USC Involves Key 2025 Returner Not Being 'The Answer'
'Worst Case Scenario' for USC Involves Key 2025 Returner Not Being 'The Answer' originally appeared on Athlon Sports. USC will either look dominant or become a disappointment in 2025. There's no in-between as Lincoln Riley is on the hot seat. Advertisement There's a "best case scenario" involving USC that paints the picture of an 11-1 team advancing to the College Football Playoffs. But Tom Fornelli of CBS Sports also dove into the worst case scenario for the 2025 Trojans. Fornelli looked at multiple factors that could topple USC's hopes for a Big Ten title or CFP appearance. But he particularly zeroed in on one area that he believed needed to be addressed. Simply because in his mind, this key returner isn't "the answer." USC coach Lincoln Riley© Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images Fornelli believes quarterback play could doom the '25 Trojans. "They should've been more active in the portal looking for a quarterback because Jayden Maiava isn't the answer," Fornelli began with his "worst case scenario" argument. Advertisement Granted USC did tap into the portal to address QB. Former five-star and past Pac-12 rival Sam Huard is on board this season. Maiava himself is a past portal talent who came via UNLV. He ultimately snatched the starting QB reins toward the end of the '24 season. Maiava showed flashes of his potential late in '24. Plus earned the confidence of Riley to handle QB1 duties despite a push from five-star true freshman Husan Longstreet during the spring. Yet Maiava still feels the heat of this season -- given USC's impressive recruiting results while also attempting to rebuild itself from a dismal 7-6 campaign. But Maiava isn't the only "worst case scenario" label from Fornelli. He made this prediction if the worse happens to the Trojans. "The interior of the offensive line struggles, leading to problems in both the passing offense and the rushing offense. The same road struggles we saw last year continue in 2025, and the defense doesn't improve at all," he said. Advertisement Like Maiava, the defense is under immense pressure to improve. USC landed five-star defensive lineman Jahkeem Stewart for the 2025 class. USC also hired Trovon Reed away from UCF to serve as cornerbacks coach. But even nabbed longtime NFL assistant Rob Ryan to serve as linebackers coach. Fornelli concludes that at worst, USC becomes a 5-7 team that starts 4-0 but begins to falter with a loss to Illinois. Then drops their rivalry game to UCLA. Related: USC Commit Earns Unique Comparison to Wrestling Legend This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 24, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
USC Gaining Steam for Talented 4-Star Florida Prospect
USC Gaining Steam for Talented 4-Star Florida Prospect originally appeared on Athlon Sports. USC doesn't appear to be letting the foot on the gas pedal recruiting wise. The Trojans hosted a talented four-star from Florida -- who's currently heavily targeted by one top 10 recruiting class. Advertisement Interior offensive lineman Breck Kolojay roamed around the USC campus and took his visit out west during the weekend of June 21. The IMG Academy star created concern for one Atlantic Coast Conference powerhouse. Kolojay is a longtime Miami target, with the Hurricanes listed as a heavy favorite to land him. Kolojay, however, sparked new intrigue for USC fans. He posted pictures of his official visit on his X (formerly Twitter) account -- signifying that the Trojans are indeed gaining momentum for him. Makai Lemon of USC catching against Notre Dame in 2024. Kirby Lee, USA TODAY Sports "Huge thanks to the whole USC staff for having me and my fam for an OV this past week," Kolojay said on his X account Monday. Advertisement Head coach Lincoln Riley isn't the only one courting Kolojay. Offensive line coach Zach Hanson is running point on his recruitment. The 6-foot-5, 320-pounder surfaced as a rising USC target during his visit weekend. Trojans insider for On3 Scott Schrader dropped this update on Sunday. "As of today, this appears to be a USC vs. Miami battle and Kolojay is not in a hurry to make a decision," Schrader wrote. "That's not to say he won't choose a school in the near future, but his decision on a school could come in December." Kolojay would choose the nation's current No. 8 class if Miami becomes his pick. He'd become a major in-state win for Mario Cristobal and his coaching staff if he selects "The U." The 'Canes hold 10 verbal commits from Florida. Advertisement However, USC has Kolojay's IMG Academy teammate Keenyi Pope. Kolojay also has state of Colorado ties with five-star tight end commit Mark Bowman -- as the two played the game together in their younger years. USC sits at 30 total verbal commits and appears to have a few spots left to fill the 2026 class. Related: 'Polarizing' USC Star Tabbed No. 1 NFL Draft Prospect for His Position This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 24, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Coach That Lincoln Riley Fired Lands New Role
Coach That Lincoln Riley Fired Lands New Role originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Lincoln Riley delivered one stunning change during the spring by firing Bennie Wylie. The USC head coach and the strength and conditioning coordinator held a lengthy relationship -- including Wylie becoming one of Riley's first USC hires in 2022. Advertisement Wylie has since found a new role. Although it's a non-college football one. Wylie is back in the state of Texas. This time he's taking over the strength department for Huntsville High School, with Football Scoop reporting the move. He'll be working with a school that boasts an enrollment of approximately 1,900 students. He's also going to be close to a school he knows quite well. Southern California Trojans head coach Lincoln Riley.© Kirby Lee-Imagn Images Huntsville High is located nine minutes driving distance from Sam Houston State University. SHS is Wylie's alma mater -- where he played from 1994 to 1997. Wylie, though, will be taking a step back from college and working with younger prospects. Advertisement He joined the University of Texas in 2011 as the Longhorns' strength and conditioning coach. Mack Brown helped facilitate his hire to the staff. But before that he held stints with the University of Tennessee and Texas Tech University -- serving as head strength and conditioning coach. Wylie even delivered a brief NFL run. He was named assistant strength and conditioning coach for the Dallas Cowboys from 1999 to 2002. His alma mater handed him his first S&C role in 1998 on an interim basis. He first linked with Riley in 2018 while at the University of Oklahoma. Wylie joined a staff that won three Big 12 titles in '18, 2019 and 2020. He later joined the USC staff in Dec. 2021 after Riley's agreement to coach the Trojans. Riley pulled the stunner by firing Wylie in May -- following the completion of spring practice. Related: 'Worst Case Scenario' for USC Involves Key 2025 Returner Not Being 'The Answer' This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 25, 2025, where it first appeared.
