You may have seen the billboard near USC’s campus.
Quarterback Jayden Maiava is clutching the ball, alongside a slogan reading “The Time Is : Now.”
Some might say it’s past time for Maiava’s coach.
Lincoln Riley has had a Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback. Multiple defensive coordinators. More resources than a small country.
What’s all that produced?
Two seasons in which USC finished unranked. Collapses in the Cotton and Alamo bowls. No appearances in the College Football Playoff.
At least Riley seems to understand the urgency going into his fifth season. It could be playoff or bust for a coach whose humongous buyout may not save him should things go sideways once more.
“We didn’t come here for anything less,” Riley said recently of making the playoff. “I mean, we didn’t come here like, oh, let’s come here and hope we can win eight or nine games at ‘SC.”
Fortunately for Riley, he may have what he needs for a breakthrough.
Maiava is back for a third season. The entire offensive line returns, along with some explosive running backs. New defensive coordinator Gary Patterson will try to work some old magic. A top-ranked freshman class should infuse talent at multiple positions.
Will it be enough? Here are five questions facing the Trojans as they prepare to open spring practice Tuesday:
Can Jayden Maiava become USC’s next Heisman winner?
Riley said he’s seeking a similar jump in his quarterback to the one Maiava made between his first and second seasons in the program.
That would certainly put Maiava in elite territory after a strong 2025 season in which he completed 65.8% of his passes for 3,711 yards — ranking fifth in the country — with 24 touchdowns and 10 interceptions.
Being a redshirt senior should also have its benefits.
“Look at the guys in the championship game,” Riley said, referring to Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza and Miami’s Carson Beck. “Both of those guys played a lot of ball. It’s hard to replace having that at that position; it matters so much, and we have it right now.”
Can Gary Patterson elevate defense?
The Trojans certainly made strides under defensive coordinator D’Anton Lynn before his departure for Penn State, his alma mater.
But there’s also no debating that defense has been the side of the ball in which the Trojans have struggled under Riley. Enter Patterson, the former longtime TCU coach with a defensive bent.
Combining his schematic sorcery with an intriguing collection of talent might yield a winning combination.
“Gary’s seen so much ball and he’s had to make it work with different leagues, different skill sets, a lot of times not having the best talent in his system,” Riley said. “He’s got the ability to kind of manage it and move it in any way to fit the skill set, so I think a lot of our guys will benefit.”
Who will step up at wide receiver?
Tanook Hines could take over as the top option after an impressive freshman season in which he made 34 catches for 561 yards and two touchdowns.
Others who figure to be featured prominently are slot receiver Zach Williams, who missed much of last season with an injury; Terrell Anderson, a transfer from N.C. State; freshmen Boobie Feaster and Kayden Dixon-Wyatt; and redshirt freshman Corey Simms, who has flashed enticing potential.
Can special teams be fixed?
This is another area in which the Trojans need an upgrade.
They hope they found it in new special teams coordinator Mike Ekeler, who will try to replicate the success he had in his one season at Nebraska.
Under Ekeler, the Cornhuskers thrived in kickoff coverage (ranking No. 12 nationally), kickoff returns (No. 13), punt coverage (No. 14) and punt returns (No. 17). They also blocked three field goals and two punts while avoiding any blocked kicks of their own.
There are a slew of candidates to immediately contribute beyond five-star offensive tackle Keenyi Pepe, edge rusher Luke Wafle and defensive tackle Jaimeon Winfield.
Riley said most of the freshmen who comprise the nation’s top class were already on campus, accelerating their opportunities.
“At some point, you’ve got to say, ‘All right, we’re going to throw reps at these guys,’ ” Riley said. “That doesn’t mean they’re just going to play — they’ve got to go earn it — but that you’re going to set up your roster where these guys can come in and get the reps to develop and have a chance to contribute right away.”
