Locked On USC - Daily Podcast on USC Trojans Football & Basketball

Big Ten powers rally against Texas Tech over Brendan Sorsby’s controversial eligibility fight. As the Red Raiders attempt to play Sorsby despite NCAA regulations, Big Ten schools refuse all non-conference competition, igniting a heated debate about integrity, NIL chaos, and the role of judges in college football. Is this a Texas Tech scandal, an NCAA crisis, or a sign the sport is spinning out of...

USC made history by appointing college football's first Director of AI, aiming to secure a high-tech edge under Lincoln Riley. Can artificial intelligence transform game planning, recruiting, and player development, or will human intuition always reign supreme? Marc Kulkin explores how Connor McQuiston’s role could redefine scouting and preparation, while breaking down USC’s ongoing quest to recla...

The Trojans’ backfield surges, raising expectations for the 2026 season—can King Miller and Waymond Jordan Jr.. become college football’s elite one-two punch under Anthony Jones Jr.? Marc Kulkin and Chris Trevino unpack USC’s roster evolution, from the meteoric rise of Miller to new questions at running back and the impact of injuries on both the offensive and defensive lines. Jayden Maiava's deve...

USC is scrambling to lock down key recruits as official visit plans shift just days before a pivotal recruiting weekend. Crystal ball predictions for offensive line target Isaiah Bertola tilt in Cal’s favor after his positive Berkeley visit, raising questions about USC’s closing strategy. With only one offensive lineman committed for 2027, fans are left wondering: Can Lincoln Riley and Chad Bowden...

USC football faces a pivotal crossroads as Lincoln Riley’s five most defining decisions—including the arrival of Caleb Williams and the controversial retention of Alex Grinch—continue to shape the program’s trajectory. Can a revamped recruiting philosophy and new hires like Chad Bowden and Mike Ekeler finally push the Trojans back into championship contention? Marc Kulkin breaks down how transfer...

The Trojans eye on a College Football Playoff berth depends on Jayden Maiava's rise among the Big Ten’s top quarterbacks. Can Lincoln Riley’s offense transform its identity and power the Trojans to 10+ wins? The conversation focused on USC’s must-have traits for postseason success—like finishing top 25 in rushing, forcing 25+ turnovers, and beating heavyweights Oregon and Ohio State at home. A key...

The Big Ten and SEC unite to push back against Congress’s sweeping plan to overhaul college football, setting up a powerful standoff that could reshape the sport’s future. With player compensation, playoff formats, and media rights on the line, can any legislation succeed without college football’s biggest powerhouses on board? The Big 10 Squad dissects the motives behind congressional interventio...

There are talks that the Trojans are eyeing a high-stakes non-conference showdown as rumors swirl about a home-and-home series with the Texas Tech Red Raiders in 2027 and 2028. Could Lincoln Riley face his alma mater just one year after a potential playoff appearance with USC? Marc Kulkin breaks down how Texas Tech’s bold scheduling ambitions and USC’s open slots could create a marquee matchup, bo...

USC Trojans are setting bold expectations as Athletic Director Jen Cohen targets a College Football Playoff berth in 2026. With major pressure on head coach Lincoln Riley, the program is banking on high-profile hires like Gary Patterson and Mike Ekeler, a dominant recruiting class, and battle-tested returners to fuel a championship push. The alignment of new facilities, roster depth, and a stacked...

The Trojans football got some potential unexpected recruiting drama as top offensive line target Isaiah Bertola delays his commitment, prompting Lincoln Riley’s staff to extend a late offer to Thurman Lyles. Will Bertola still choose USC, or could rivals Cal, BYU, or Texas sway him away? Recruiting strategies and the need for a reliable plan B take center stage, adding intrigue to an otherwise ste...

Trojans quarterback Jayden Maiava claims he hasn't accomplished anything yet—despite a strong 12-5 record and a standout QBR of 89.9. Is this mamba mentality the edge USC needs to return to championship contention? Marc Kulkin explores how Maiava’s relentless drive and commitment to a neutral mindset could fuel the Trojans’ playoff ambitions. Lincoln Riley’s reputation takes a hit as Athlon Magazi...

The Trojans are focused on a high-value target in their nearly locked-up 2027 recruiting class as the official visit season heats up. With 12 of 13 committed recruits on campus and all eyes on uncommitted priority target Isaiah Bertola, the Trojans aim to forge stronger team bonds and close commitments early—leaving little off-season drama for fans. Can “Coach Dog” and USC’s revamped recruiting ap...

Big Ten football faces a seismic shift as talk of a 70-school “Super Mega Conference” heats up. Could college athletics see relegation like the Premier League, or will tradition—with teams like Ohio State, Michigan, and UCLA—hold firm amidst swirling changes? The panel breaks down the latest bipartisan Congressional proposal that targets NIL regulation, transfer portal chaos, and the Lane Kiffin r...

USC Trojans fans brace for frustrating kickoff times as the first four games land on inconvenient slots, fueling speculation that networks are putting TV audiences ahead of the Coliseum crowd. With matchups against San Jose State, Fresno State, Louisiana, and Rutgers spread across NBC, FOX, Big Ten Network, and CBS, Marc Kulkin questions whether game day excitement is being sacrificed for viewersh...

USC quarterback Jayden Maiava faces fierce scrutiny as ESPN ranks USC’s QB room,Tier 2 despite Maiava’s big arm and vertical passing prowess. Can Maiava transform from a “very good” signal-caller into a true Heisman contender under Lincoln Riley’s guidance? Marc Kulkin and Chris Trevino break down ESPN’s recent “quarterback autopsy,” spotlighting Maiava’s strengths, decision-making under pressure,...

USC football faces a pivotal crossroads: can Lincoln Riley silence doubters and deliver a breakthrough season, or is another “average” campaign looming despite a revamped roster and daunting Big Ten schedule? Marc Kulkin breaks down why the 2026 Trojans might be poised for 10+ wins—or risk stagnation—with Riley’s reliance on NIL, transfer portal moves, and a potentially Heisman-caliber quarterback...

The Trojans surge into the 2026 season with sky-high expectations—will Lincoln Riley finally deliver a College Football Playoff breakthrough? With less than 100 days until kickoff, national media and anonymous Big Ten coaches are bullish on the Trojans’ playoff prospects, ramping up the pressure on Riley and his newly fortified roster. Marc Kulkin spotlights USC’s offensive improvements, including...

USC's 2026 roster is finally complete as Ethan "Boobie" Feaster, Roderick Tezeno, and Malik Brooks arrive on campus, setting the stage for the summer Player Run Practices and a new era focused on depth and player development. Can these fresh faces make an immediate impact, or will established talent hold the spotlight as USC gears up for another Big Ten run? Host Marc Kuklkin spotlights key storyl...

Big Ten power flexes threaten to upend the college football landscape as Tony Petitti’s playoff expansion push sparks fierce debate. Is a 24-team playoff format diluting the sport’s intensity or driving new rivalries and storylines? Greg Sankey and the SEC’s battle for influence, clashing philosophies, and shifting narratives keep college football fans on edge. The Big 10 Squad spotlights UCLA’s p...

Has Lincoln Riley finally built a Big Ten contender? The Trojans’ off-season and spring was ignited by Riley’s new approach—hiring defensive guru Gary Patterson and special teams expert Mike Ekeler, prioritizing physicality, and overhauling recruiting discipline with Chad Bowden’s decisive “no visit” policy. Host Marc Kulkin spotlights Riley’s growth as a head coach, USC’s revitalized recruiting c...

USC shook up their 2027 recruiting class as four-star wide receiver Eli Woodard exits amid Miami's aggressive pursuit and USC's strict no-visit policy. Can the Trojans maintain their momentum at wide receiver, or does Woodard’s departure open the door for rivals to poach more talent? Marc Kulkin and Chris Trevino break down USC’s evolving recruiting strategy, spotlighting key names like Quinten Ha...

Here's a scenario; the USC Trojans end up beating both Oregon and Ohio State with Coliseum victories—but finishes with a 9-3 record leaving the Trojans out of the College Football Playoff? Marc  probes this high-stakes scenario, weighing national perception, program legitimacy, and the sting of missing out despite signature wins. Can Lincoln Riley’s squad prove they're more than spoiler kings, or...

The USC Trojans landed another major recruiting victory as top California safety Gavin Williams commits, edging out rivals UCLA and Notre Dame. With the Trojans’ 2027 class now at 14 commitments, their dominance with in-state recruiting raises big questions—can anyone stop USC from reclaiming its reign as the West Coast’s premier football powerhouse? Host Marc Kulkin analyzes why the upcoming USC...

USC faces a defining moment as Lincoln Riley enters year five—can the program finally deliver on its high-stakes investment? Marc Kulkin outlines why a College Football Playoff berth is now the baseline for success, breaking down roster upgrades, elite recruiting classes, and key staff moves like bringing in Gary Patterson as defensive coordinator. With USC’s schedule set and top matchups against...

Big Ten playoff chaos heats up as conference experts debate an ever-expanding College Football Playoff. Could a 24-team—or even 128-team—bracket reshape the landscape for programs like Ohio State, Michigan, and Northwestern? The squad tackles whether playoff expansion erodes season value, impacts head coach job security, and opens the door for perennial underdogs to finally make a run. Who benefit...