Phil Steele says USC is a 'legitimate' national championship contender

The USC Trojans are a legitimate national championship contender under Lincoln Riley in 2023, according to Phil Steele.

The season ended in disappointment in 2022, but USC was oh-so-close. Heisman Trophy winner Caleb Williams is back, giving USC quite the shot to win it all.

In Steele’s annual college football preview magazine, he looked back on the process to go through Clay Helton and eventually land Riley to get where the Trojans are now.

“The Trojans had 3.5 Net Close wins in ‘20 getting to the Pac-12 title game, which was a sign pointing down for 2021,” Steele wrote. “Clay Helton was on the hot seat his last four years and was let go after a home loss to Stanford in Week 2. USC spiraled down to 4-8.”

Once Riley came in, he transformed an already talented roster.

“Lincoln Riley inherited some solid talent then hit the portal hard,” Steele wrote. “They went from an interim head coach to having one of the best and the Trojan faithful were revitalized. USC rated a +5.0 in my SMI, had -4 Net Upsets and despite their record, were +38 YPG in Pac-12 play (all signs pointing up).

“I said the Trojans were a legitimate Pac-12 title contender and they were my No. 1 Most Improved team and No. 2 Surprise Team. Utah got a two-point conversion at home to hand the Trojans their only regular season defeat (43-42) and a win in the Pac-12 title game would have given them a playoff spot.”

Looking back on last season, the three losses were brutal. Utah edged out USC by a point in the team’s first meeting. Then the Pac-12 Championship was a different story.

Plus, the Tulane loss in the postseason was practically a blown opportunity.

“QB (Caleb) Williams was injured in the first quarter (50% healthy rest of the game) and was sacked seven times in the 47-24 loss to Utah,” Steele wrote. “USC led Tulane 45-30 with 4:20 to go but lost for an 11-3 year. They did benefit from +22 in turnovers.

“USC in their last year of the Pac-12 so they will get everyone’s best shot. They have the most talented team and a coach that knows how to make the playoffs. While they have to face Notre Dame and Oregon on the road, the Trojans are a legitimate National Title contender.”

USC has the makings of a title game, but it’s about showing up when it matters most.