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As the 2026 college football season approaches, the Big Ten continues to establish itself as one of the deepest and most demanding conferences in the sport. USC and UCLA are entering their third year as members of the expanded conference, giving both programs more experience with the travel, physicality, and competition that define Big Ten football. Their paths, however, look considerably different heading into the new campaign. While USC is chasing a College Football Playoff appearance, UCLA is focused on building consistency and reaching bowl eligibility.
The contrasting expectations surrounding the two Los Angeles programs make their 2026 seasons particularly interesting for college football fans and analysts. USC enters the year with enough talent to compete near the top of the conference, but its difficult schedule leaves little room for mistakes. UCLA faces lower expectations but has an opportunity to make progress by quickly molding an aggressive influx of new transfer talent. Together, the programs offer two very different perspectives on what it takes to establish a lasting presence in the Big Ten.
Lincoln Riley enters his fifth season leading the USC Trojans with the pressure surrounding the program becoming increasingly significant. USC has produced respectable regular-season results during its transition into the Big Ten, but the Trojans have yet to reach the expanded 12-team College Football Playoff field. Fans tracking NCAAF odds on FanDuel will also see USC discussed alongside the conference’s other contenders as expectations build for the new season.
Much of USC’s optimism comes from offensive continuity and another strong influx of talent. Quarterback Jayden Maiava returns as the expected starter after producing encouraging numbers during the 2025 season, giving Riley an experienced player to lead his offense. His combination of arm strength and mobility provides USC with the tools to attack defenses vertically while also creating opportunities outside the pocket.
The biggest concern for USC remains whether its defense can consistently perform against the conference’s most physical opponents. Gary Patterson continues working to reshape the Trojan defense around improved tackling, stronger line play, and greater discipline against the run. Those improvements will be essential because Big Ten contenders can punish defensive weaknesses through sustained drives and physical rushing attacks. USC cannot rely solely on its offense if it hopes to survive a demanding conference schedule and make a serious postseason push.
The schedule itself presents another major obstacle for the Trojans in 2026. Games against Oregon, Washington, and Penn State create an unforgiving stretch before additional late-season challenges against Ohio State and Indiana. Preseason projections generally place USC around the eight- or nine-win range, although a 10-2 campaign would significantly strengthen its College Football Playoff résumé. Every major conference matchup could therefore carry substantial consequences for USC’s playoff hopes, making consistency one of the team’s most important objectives.
The UCLA Bruins enter 2026 with a different set of priorities as they continue adjusting to life in the Big Ten. Head coach Bob Chesney is tasked with establishing greater stability after a difficult transition period and creating a foundation capable of producing sustained success. Conference championship futures place UCLA near the bottom of the Big Ten field, with the Bruins carrying roughly 2% odds to win the conference.
There are still reasons for UCLA fans to remain optimistic despite modest preseason expectations, as advanced projections like ESPN’s SP+ point toward statistical improvement. However, rather than relying on returning continuity, the Bruins are leaning into a massive roster overhaul after head coach Bob Chesney brought in over 60 new players, including high-profile transfer additions, to completely rebuild the depth chart. While forging chemistry across a brand-new offensive line and defense will be a steep challenge in a physical conference, this influx of fresh talent provides UCLA with a higher ceiling and a more explosive starting point than a standard, slow-burn rebuild would allow.
UCLA’s offense will need to make better use of scoring opportunities if the Bruins are going to turn transferred portal talent into a cohesive unit. Forging instant chemistry across a completely renovated offensive line, which returns just one starter, will be crucial for converting promising drives into touchdowns after inconsistent offensive performances in previous seasons.
The Bruins face an uphill battle to reach their six- or seven-win target against a demanding schedule. While they do benefit from key home games at the Rose Bowl, they must also navigate punishing road matchups against national powerhouses like Oregon and Michigan. Winning their swing games against mid-tier conference opponents will be absolutely critical, as a few closely contested victories are what will ultimately separate UCLA from another losing season and guide them back to postseason eligibility.
The differing outlooks for USC and UCLA demonstrate how differently two programs can approach the same conference environment. USC enters 2026 with expectations centered on playoff contention, making another middling season difficult to justify given its talent and resources. UCLA, meanwhile, can measure progress through improved consistency, roster development, and a return to postseason football. Those contrasting objectives make the rivalry particularly compelling because each program has something significant to prove.
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