The college football season is set to begin in just under two weeks with the official Week Zero kickoff. A new quest for the College Football Playoff will commence, with multiple head coaches facing major pressure to deliver.
That pressure is not only about winning but, in some cases, also reaching the playoff. The field has expanded to 12 teams and could grow again after this season. For now, only a dozen teams will claim a spot. One team almost certainly under pressure to deliver is the USC Trojans, led by Lincoln Riley.
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Riley was hired away from Oklahoma, where he established himself as one of college football's premier offensive minds. However, he has yet to deliver the level of success USC expected. Because of this, he landed on Josh Pate's list of head coaches facing major pressure to deliver in 2026.
Dec 30, 2025; San Antonio, TX, USA; Southern California Trojans head coach Lincoln Riley watches in the first half against the TCU Horned Frogs during the Alamo Bowl at Alamodome. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect (Reuters)

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