USC

This is the year USC's collection of elite young talent finally delivers on its promise, bolstered by strategic portal additions at receiver after losing their top two targets to the NFL Draft. The Trojans rank 12th nationally in JP+'s preseason ratings at +17.7 points, powered by the nation's second-ranked offense (+11.9) while the defense sits at a more modest 30th (+3.3). Quarterback Jayden Maiava returns as the starter after a solid 2025 campaign, but he'll need to replace the production of departed receivers Makai Lemon (63.7 PPA) and Ja'Kobi Lane (54.4 PPA), both drafted by the NFL. The headliner among new arrivals is NC State transfer Terrell Anderson (43.9 PPA), who gives Maiava a proven target in what could be a championship-caliber offense. New defensive coordinator Gary Patterson brings decades of experience to a unit that showed flashes but needs consistency.

JP+ projects 8.1 wins for USC in their second Big Ten season, with the toughest tests coming against Indiana on the road plus home games against Ohio State and Oregon. The offensive continuity remains solid with Maiava back and most of the line intact, though replacing 118.1 combined PPA from Lemon and Lane creates some uncertainty in the passing game. Patterson's defensive background suggests the 30th-ranked unit has room for significant improvement, which could be the difference between a good season and a great one. If Anderson and the other portal additions mesh quickly with USC's young core, this roster has the talent for the program's first Big Ten title and College Football Playoff appearance. If the receiver replacements struggle early or the defense doesn't improve under Patterson, eight or nine wins feels more realistic than a conference championship.