USC quarterback Jayden Maiava hopes to lead his team to a bowl victory later this month.
Running back Woody Marks had an outstanding regular season gaining over 1,000 yards for the Trojans in 2024. He hopes to gain more yards for USC in a bowl game.
In sports, the only certainty is uncertainty-and it's that unpredictability that keeps fans coming back year after year. For USC football in 2024, this unpredictability was both a strength and a weakness, as the season unfolded with near-misses and lingering questions about the program's future under head coach Lincoln Riley.
USC, a storied football program, finished the regular season with a 6-6 record, marking a step backward from Riley's debut year and intensifying criticism of his tenure. While the Trojans remained competitive in every game, their inability to close out tight contests exposed deeper, unresolved issues within the program.
Last Saturday's 49-35 loss to No. 5 Notre Dame epitomized these struggles. Despite flashes of resilience and effective play-calling that resulted in three ties throughout the game, USC faltered once again in crunch time. A pivotal 99-yard interception return by Notre Dame cornerback Christian Gray for a touchdown with less than four minutes remaining sealed their fate.
The Trojans fought hard but couldn't execute when it mattered most. Coach Riley captured the sentiment in his post-game press conference. "We battled today like we have all year. We didn't quite play well enough in the second half, and some plays just didn't go our way. But give credit to Notre Dame, it's a good football team."
The narrative of falling short in key moments haunted USC throughout the season. The Trojans narrowly lost to Michigan, who defeated No. 3 Ohio State last weekend, and they also lost to No. 4 Penn State, coming up just three points short in each contest. However, their inconsistency was further highlighted by three additional losses to mid-tier teams, decided by a combined total of 13 points. The blame has been shared between coaching and player performance, though the truth likely lies somewhere in between. Great teams thrive under pressure. USC, for now, remains good-but not great.
The road back to prominence isn't always linear, but for Riley and his staff, it's clear that incremental improvements won't be enough. While the 2024 season has been disappointing, it also serves as a wake-up call for a program seeking to reclaim its former glory.
As USC looks ahead to a likely invitation to a minor bowl game-perhaps the Holiday Bowl, Sun Bowl, or LA Bowl, the focus must shift. Reflecting on the future, Coach Riley shared his outlook following the Notre Dame loss. "I am proud of this team. We'll regroup, get our bowl assignment, and start developing our young guys for the final game of the season."
The postseason offers USC a crucial opportunity to assess the roster and reset expectations heading into 2025.
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