Greg McElroy states USC was disrespected in preseason AP poll

USC was nowhere to be found in the preseason AP Top 25 rankings. On Monday, ESPN’s Greg McElroy tore into poll voters for disrespecting the Trojans.

“USC, right now, is in the ‘others receiving votes’ category. They’re actually fifth in the ‘others receiving votes’ category. So, that has them as like the No. 30 team in college football,” McElroy said. “That’s the biggest difference between my Top 25 and the AP’s Top 25, is that I have SC at 11. The AP has them at 30. That’s a 19-spot gap.

“SC brings back a quarterback that I think is really well-equipped to have a nice year. They have arguably the best weapons in the Big Ten outside of Ohio State. Ohio State’s kind of in a league of their own with that conversation, which is understandable. But SC brings those guys back, and should be outstanding at wide receiver.”

Quarterback Jayden Maiava will lead the way for USC’s offense this fall. Maiava transferred to USC last offseason after spending two years at UNLV.

He began the 2024 season as Miller Moss’ backup and had to earn his opportunity to get on the field. When Maiava was finally given a chance to start, he didn’t allow it go to waste.

Maiava finished the season with 1,201 passing yards and 11 touchdowns, compared to six interceptions. USC won in three of Maiava’s four starts and nearly defeated the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, who went on to be the national runner-ups.

Maiava will look to build on that momentum this fall, with a surplus of weapons around him. USC is returning its two leading receivers from last season, Makai Lemon and Ja’Kobi Lane, as well as starting tight end Lake McRee.

USC’s offense isn’t the only unit that should be improved in the 2025 campaign. McElroy also expects big things from the Trojans’ defense this fall.

“They’re going to make huge strides on defense,” McElroy said. “I’m really optimistic with what I saw last year D’Anton Lynn and where they grew, and how they progressed, and just how much better they likely will be here in Year No. 2 in that defensive system. Man, they’re going to be good.

“The fact that they’re barely in the top 30, to me, is outrageous. This is a Top 25 roster, no doubt about it. Now, it’s just about getting those close wins they could not get a year ago… I think they get some of those wins this year. I think they’ll be in the College Football Playoff conversation, and would not be surprised that they’re one of the dark horses in the Big Ten.”