USC football's goal for the 2026 season is crystal clear

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The goals are appearing to be quite simple for the Los Angeles-based Big Ten Conference football teams for the 2026 season. For the USC Trojans, the goal is to make the College Football Playoffs while the UCLA Bruins are just looking to put together a winning season.

After a 3-9 season, a winning season under Bob Chesney would feel like a miracle. The Bruins haven’t had a winning campaign since the Pac-12 Conference, accomplishing the feat in 2026 would only continue the momentum for Chesney and the program.

USC has yet to make the CFP but they’re in good shape to buck that trend this season. The Trojans will have to do it against a tough schedule though, as USC will face Oregon, Washington, Penn State, Ohio State and Indiana in the regular season.

Trojans Wire writer Matt Zemek laid out just how straightforward USC’s goal for the 2026 season is.

“A successful season for Lincoln Riley in 2026 is very, very simple: College Football Playoff. It's playoff or bust at USC. UCLA fans have to be laughing their heads off at the realization that USC has had 12 seasons in which to make the playoff and hasn't been able to pull it off even once. Indiana has won a national championship. Miami is back. Ole Miss reached the semifinals. Tennessee made the playoff. Arizona State made the playoff. Texas Tech has made the playoff. SMU has made the playoff. Cincinnati has made the playoff. So many non-traditional football schools have made the playoff over the past 12 seasons, and USC still hasn't gotten in,” Zemek said. “It's pathetic. The drought needs to end. If USC goes 10-2 against a tough Big Ten schedule (Indiana, Ohio State, Oregon, Penn State, Washington), it will almost surely get in. If USC is 9-3, it probably gets left out. The Trojans have to go 3-2 in their five biggest games and make sure they win the other seven games they are supposed to win. They probably won't beat Indiana or Ohio State. They will likely need to beat Oregon, Washington and Penn State to make it. Penn State is on the road.”

It’s easier said than done but both L.A. teams have attainable goals ahead of them as the season approaches.

This article originally appeared on UCLA Wire: USC football's goal for the 2026 season is crystal clear

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