USC season preview: Why load management will matter in September

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USC football doesn't play a challenging game in 2026 until September 26 against Oregon. The Trojans begin the season with a four-game sequence of San Jose State, Fresno State, Louisiana, and Rutgers. This is very significant for Lincoln Riley and his coaching staff.

Having four games in which losing is extremely unlikely gives USC space and time to arrive at the right roster, rotations, and scheme for Oregon in late September. That much is obvious. However, there is another piece to this larger puzzle. In addition to preparing the team for Oregon (which is the first consideration in all of this), Lincoln Riley will need to rotate players in those first four weeks of the season because after Oregon is another pair of huge games, at home versus Washington and then on the road at Penn State. USC doesn't get a week off this season until October 17. The Trojans will have played seven games before they get to rest.

Playing seven games in a row means USC absolutely needs to keep the starters fresh in the first three weeks of the season. That Louisiana game on September 12 is a game in which the Trojans ought to play a lot of backups for extended minutes. Then the starters can go to Rutgers for the Big Ten opener on September 19 with a full tank. They can load up for Oregon, Washington and Penn State, then take a breather.

Precisely because Oregon, Washington, and Penn State come right before an off week, Lincoln Riley needs to rest his horses in the first three to four weeks of the season and play the long game at USC.

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This article originally appeared on Trojans Wire: USC season preview: Why load management will matter in September

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