Rece Davis Tabs USC as His College Football Playoff Dark Horse
ESPN's Rece Davis named USC as his surprise pick for the College Football Playoff, citing quarterback Jayden Maiava's performance. Maiava led the Big Ten in passing yards last season and opted to return for another year. Davis expects the Trojans to break their playoff drought under coach Lincoln Riley.
USC's 9-3 regular season finish in 2025 came with Maiava directing one of the Big Ten's most productive passing attacks. His decision to bypass the NFL draft keeps continuity under center for Lincoln Riley's offense, which returns 15 starters overall, including four offensive linemen.
The Trojans also added the nation's top-ranked recruiting class and hired Gary Patterson to overhaul a defense that Riley has long identified as the program's weakest link. Davis's pick places USC ahead of several Big Ten teams that entered the offseason with louder national expectations.
Davis's endorsement could shift preseason perception of USC among fans and bettors, potentially raising expectations for a program that has struggled to meet them since Riley arrived. A playoff run would validate the Trojans' roster-building approach and could influence recruiting momentum, while a miss might intensify scrutiny on Riley's tenure. The pick also highlights how quarterback play increasingly drives national championship conversations.