Spring football has concluded, the transfer portal has closed, and with June upon us, it means college football is just around the corner. It’s been five months since Michigan defeated Washington in the national championship game in Houston, and we’ve endured the toughest part of the offseason. We’re now beyond the halfway mark, and excitement is building as the start of the season approaches. In less than three months, college football will kick off, and USC football is primed for action. Trojans fans eagerly await their team’s return to the field.
The 2024 college football season promises to be one of the most thrilling in recent memory, thanks to several significant changes. The most notable is the expansion of the College Football Playoff.
The inaugural season of the new 12-team College Football Playoff is set to bring a significant shift. The four-team playoff era has ended, and the inclusion of eight additional teams will have a major impact.
Fans can now breathe a bit easier during the regular season. There’s nothing more disheartening than seeing your team lose a critical game early in the season before conference play even begins. Under the four-team playoff system, one loss could be devastating, and even an undefeated season didn’t guarantee a spot, as seen with Florida State. Now, a 10-2 record should secure a spot for most Power Five teams, and even some 9-3 teams might make it.
Another major change is the extended season with more football. The College Football Playoff committee has released the schedule for the 2024 playoff, promising an exciting month. Instead of three playoff games within a week, there will be 11 games spread over a month, offering plenty of action.
Additionally, there will be new conference alignments this year. The Pac-12 has dissolved, with all but Oregon State and Washington State finding new homes. USC, UCLA, Oregon, and Washington have joined the Big Ten, Cal and Stanford have moved to the ACC, and Arizona, Arizona State, Colorado, and Utah are now part of the Big 12.
The Big 12 has also seen changes, with Oklahoma and Texas moving to the SEC.
Overall, college football is undergoing significant changes, promising an exciting season. While opinions on these changes vary, the increase in games and matchups is undoubtedly a positive development.
Lincoln Riley and USC football need a bounce year
One team facing a pivotal offseason is the USC football team. Head coach Lincoln Riley and the Trojans are coming off a disappointing 7-5 season. In 2022, USC was on the verge of winning the Pac-12 and securing a spot in the College Football Playoff, but they fell short in the Pac-12 title game. Despite returning most of their talent from that team, including Heisman winner Caleb Williams, they regressed significantly last year.
When Lincoln Riley took over as head coach, it seemed like USC was set for a resurgence. However, last year’s performance has led some fans to question Riley’s leadership. The team entered the season with high expectations and abundant talent, but it didn’t translate into success, and now they are losing Williams to the NFL.
The upcoming 2024 season is crucial for Lincoln Riley and USC. Another disappointing season could jeopardize Riley’s job, and the transition to the Big Ten will make things even more challenging. The new conference will be highly competitive, and the Trojans must be prepared.
USC was hit hard in the first transfer portal window, losing key players such as Domani Jackson, Malachi Nelson, and Mario Williams. Although they acquired some good talent from the portal, the Trojans lost 29 players while gaining 15.
With the departure of several top players, USC will need new talent to step up to succeed in the Big Ten. This season is critical for the Trojans, and one player, in particular, is poised for a breakout season.
Miller Moss, QB
Miller Moss is the obvious choice, but many outside the USC football program might not fully grasp how impactful he can be for the Trojans this season. Moss has spent three seasons with the Trojans, patiently waiting his turn behind Caleb Williams over the past two years. While he could have entered the transfer portal and played elsewhere, Moss chose to stay at USC, determined to win with the Trojans. Now, his time has come, and he will be the starting quarterback next season.
Last year, Moss saw action in the latter stages of blowout games and started in the Holiday Bowl. Over the season, he completed 46 of 65 passes for 681 yards, seven touchdowns, and one interception, with most of those stats accumulated during the bowl game.
Moss demonstrated his potential as a star for USC football when he started in the Holiday Bowl against Louisville. He completed 23 of 33 passes for 372 yards, six touchdowns, and one interception, leading the unranked Trojans to a 42-28 victory over #15 Louisville.
Many expected USC to seek a new QB through the transfer portal, but Moss’s standout performance in the Holiday Bowl, which acted as a de facto tryout, secured his position. Head coach Lincoln Riley remarked after the game that Moss’s performance likely deterred potential transfers. Now, Moss is set to be the starter.
While he might not be Caleb Williams, Miller Moss showed in the Holiday Bowl what he’s capable of, and he is poised for a successful year.
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