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

USC basketball is fully reloaded for a breakout season under Eric Musselman, boasting their strongest roster since arguably the 2001 Elite 8 run. Can top recruits Christian Collins and the Ratliff twins make an immediate impact alongside returners Rodney Rice, Alijah Arenas, and Jacob Cofie? Musselman's aggressive use of the transfer portal brings in K.J. Lewis (Georgetown) and Jalen Cox, raising...

USC and Notre Dame reignite college football’s legendary rivalry—could their return shape the playoff landscape? Marc Kulkin sits down with LA Times USC beat writer Ryan Kartje to unpack the high-stakes negotiations bringing these powerhouse programs back to the gridiron. They explore how playoff expansion, recruiting battles, and the ever-present influence of donor money compelled both schools to...

USC and Notre Dame refuse to let their century-old rivalry die as negotiations to resume their storied matchup intensify. With playoff expansion on the horizon, both programs face mounting pressure to boost strength of schedule and secure marquee games that keep them in national contention. Will the Fighting Irish’s willingness to move the game earlier in the season finally seal the deal? Marc Kul...

The Trojans are getting closer to a near-complete 2027 recruiting class, targeting elite prospects like Gavin Williams and Isaiah Bertola. Can Lincoln Riley and his staff outmaneuver Notre Dame, Cal, BYU, and Texas to secure California’s top talent and bolster their secondary with blue-chip defenders and offensive linemen? Key decisions in the next few week could define the Trojans’ future, leavin...

USC stands to benefit as college football eyes a radical playoff expansion, but will the regular season lose its magic? Host Marc Kulkin and Musings By Arledge, author, Chris Arledge break down the proposed jump to a 24-team playoff, questioning if programs like USC and Notre Dame will face new scheduling challenges or see old rivalries, such as the iconic USC vs. Notre Dame clash, fade from tradi...

Big Ten football faces seismic changes as coaches push for a 24-team College Football Playoff and the elimination of conference championship games. Is the legendary exclusivity of college football evaporating? The Big 10 Squad debates whether expanding the playoff waters down the sport, how job security and coaching standards might shift, and if a January 25th national championship is simply too m...

The Trojans surge in recruiting, continues as they eye a powerhouse 2027 class locked-in before summer even begins. Can Lincoln Riley’s squad secure the SoCal pipeline and outpace rivals like UCLA and others on and off the field? Marc Kulkin and Scott Schrader dissect USC’s high-stakes commitments, spotlighting top prospects like Gavin Williams and the coaching staff’s bold helicopter visits. Key...

USC Football got a major boost as the NCAA’s playoff expansion virtually guarantees Lincoln Riley’s squad an annual ticket to the College Football Playoff. Is reaching the postseason no longer enough—will Riley now be judged by deep playoff runs? Marc Kulkin and Chris Trevino debate how this shift changes expectations, what it means for high-profile programs, and how coaching contracts and recruit...

The Trojans are gearing up for a high-stakes 2026 season as national pundits rank their schedule among the toughest in college football—does it really matter for their playoff dreams? Marc Kulkin breaks down where USC stands among top contenders like Texas, Oklahoma, and Ohio State,, detailing pivotal matchups against Oregon, Washington, Penn State, and Ohio State at the Coliseum. Position battles...

USC continues to dominate California recruiting—snagging top defensive line talent Alifeleti Tuihalamaka. The Trojans will also add Roye Oliver to boost their 2027 football class after he reclassified. With six of California’s top 12 prospects now committed, and nine of the state’s top 25 secured last cycle, is USC locking down the road to another powerhouse era under Lincoln Riley? Marc Kulkin br...

The USC Trojans cracked the Big Ten Conference's top five in preseason power rankings, but does their incoming talent have what it takes to push them into playoff contention? Marc Kulkin spotlights Crain & Cone Show's rankings—putting Ohio State, Oregon, and Indiana ahead—while questioning whether Michigan’s edge in the trenches still holds after last season’s Coliseum showdown. The debate heats u...

College football playoff chaos looms as postseason expansion rumors ignite fierce debate. Could the Big Ten secure eight playoff spots in a future super-sized format? The Big 10 Squad tackles the growing influence of money on NCAA tournament and College Football Playoff changes, questioning whether tradition or TV contracts will shape the future of Big Ten powerhouses like Michigan State, Penn Sta...

USC shook up the college football recruiting landscape as NIL spending surges — has USC set a new national standard that rivals can’t match? Marc Kulkin and Brian Smith from Locked On's The Portal Show break down the Trojans’ aggressive approach in the NIL era, spotlighting million-dollar offers, top-ranked 2026 and 2027 recruiting classes, and USC’s ability to keep California’s elite prospects ho...

The USC Trojans have asserted dominance on the California recruiting scene, locking in four of Rivals’ top 10 in-state prospects and setting sights on elite talent like Gavin Williams. Can USC hold off rivals Notre Dame and UCLA to secure the secondary’s future and expand their stronghold in the Golden State? Marc Kulkin and Chris Trevino from WeAreSC.com breaks down the Trojans’ recruiting wins,...

The Trojans continue to surge in California recruiting, locking down four of Rivals’ top 10 2027 prospects—including Honor Fa'alave-Johnson, Quentin Hale, Danny Lang, and Drew Fielder. Could the Trojans soon claim half of the state’s elite talent? Marc Kulkin breaks down the latest rankings, uncovers the methods behind Rivals’ evaluations, and debates the value of star ratings. Are subjective rank...

USC faces tough questions after a quiet 2026 NFL Draft—just three Trojans heard their names called, sparking debate over player development at one of college football’s iconic programs. Makai Lemon’s slide to the Philadelphia Eagles at No. 20, rather than the expected pick at No. 13 by the Rams, raises eyebrows, while Ja'Kobi Lane heads to the Baltimore Ravens and Kamari Ramsey lands with the Hous...

USC Trojan fans were surprised as wide receiver Makai Lemon slides in the NFL Draft, with top teams opting for other prospects despite his Biletnikoff Award-winning season. Will passing on Lemon become the draft’s biggest mistake? Marc Kulkin and Marvin Powell III break down the decisions by the LA Rams and other franchises, debating the priorities driving first-round picks and the risks of bypass...

Big Ten faces backlash as 24-team College Football Playoff proposal stirs controversy—will expanding the playoff ruin the regular season’s intensity? The Big 10 Squad tackles the heated debate, weighing tradition against big-money incentives. Are classic rivalries and crucial games losing meaning in the quest for more playoff spots, or can college football thrive with a larger field? The squad shi...

USC's cornerbacks face a season-defining spotlight as injuries and fierce competition threaten their starting spots. Can Marcelles Williams cement his role as a boundary corner, or will highly-touted newcomers RJ Sermons and Elbert "Rock" Hill break through? Marc Kulkin examines the physicality, coverage skills, and potential vulnerabilities of USC’s top cornerbacks, revealing which young talents...

The USC Trojans took a major gamble by passing on transfer portal safeties. Will the Trojans’ young secondary hold up under pressure, or will this bold move haunt Lincoln Riley’s championship window? Marc Kulkin and Chris Trevino from WeAreSC.com break down USC’s defensive depth chart, highlighting Christian Pierce, Alex Graham, and Kennedy Urlacher's pivotal roles in Gary Patterson’s 4-2-5 system...

The Trojans defense place their hopes on rising safety Christian Pierce as Gary Patterson’s defense enters a pivotal season. Can Pierce’s size, physicality, and run support spark the transformation USC needs, or will questions about his coverage skills and instincts leave the Trojans exposed? Key position battles intensify with Kennedy Urlacher and Alex Graham rounding out the starting trio, while...

USC's’ linebacker battle heats up as Desman Stephens emerges as the potential anchor for a revitalized defense. Could Stephens’ experience and new guidance under Coach Mike Ekeler transform USC’s middle linebacker spot from a question mark into the team's biggest strength? Marc Kulkin and Marvin Powell III, break down how Ekeler’s energetic coaching style and track record of sending linebackers to...

There are a handful of Trojan veteran defenders set to make a statement as Gary Patterson revamps the defense. Can standouts like Jide Abasiri, Kameryn Crawford, Braylon Shelby, and Marcelles Williams outshine the hyped freshman class and deliver against Big Ten powerhouses this fall? Marc Kulkin breaks down the Trojans' leadership on defense, highlighting key roles for Christian Pierce, Prophet B...

NCAA sanctions shake up Iowa Hawkeyes football as eight wins are vacated for tampering with quarterback Cade McNamara—was it worth the fallout? The Locked On Big Ten Squad debates whether the NCAA's focus is misplaced, questioning the penalty’s impact, and suggesting the NCAA targets smaller programs while avoiding powerhouses. Lively banter covers Kirk Ferentz’s legacy, Iowa’s ongoing quarterback...

USC stacked their deck as Lincoln Riley lands top defensive mind Gary Patterson and brings Mike Ekeler back into the fold. Could this be the winning hand USC’s needed to return to college football’s elite? Marc Kulkin breaks down the strategic impact of Patterson's arrival, examining how his defensive philosophy—centered on versatile safeties and a revamped linebacker corps—might shift USC’s traje...