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5 college football programs that will make surprise playoff push in 2022

By Connor Muldowney

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - DECEMBER 30: Running back Braelon Allen #0 of the Wisconsin Badgers warms up before a game against the Arizona State Sun Devils in the SRS Distribution Las Vegas Bowl at Allegiant Stadium on December 30, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Badgers defeated the Sun Devils 20-13. (Photo by David Becker/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - DECEMBER 30: Running back Braelon Allen #0 of the Wisconsin Badgers warms up before a game against the Arizona State Sun Devils in the SRS Distribution Las Vegas Bowl at Allegiant Stadium on December 30, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Badgers defeated the Sun Devils 20-13. (Photo by David Becker/Getty Images) /
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LOS ANGELES, CA – DECEMBER 12: USC Trojans head football coach Lincoln Riley attends the game between the USC Trojans and the Long Beach State 49ers at Galen Center on December 12, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – DECEMBER 12: USC Trojans head football coach Lincoln Riley attends the game between the USC Trojans and the Long Beach State 49ers at Galen Center on December 12, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images) /

5. USC Trojans (2021 record: 4-8)

If there’s one program that could probably shock everyone and come out of the Pac-12 based solely on talent, it’s USC.

The Trojans finished just 4-8 in Clay Helton’s final season which was cut dangerously short after a blowout loss to Stanford. They were clearly a shell of their former selves and far removed from the heydays of Reggie Bush and Matt Leinert.

But hiring Lincoln Riley away from Oklahoma was a power move. The Trojans showed that they’re willing to fork over the money to compete for national titles again and Riley is the perfect guy for the job. He’s led the Sooners to multiple playoff berths and is a top-tier recruiter. And if you can’t recruit at USC, you probably can’t recruit anywhere.

USC brings in just the 65th-best recruiting class in the country because it’s only eight commits deep, but the Trojans have hit the portal hard, landing 13 transfers. One of those transfers is former five-star and Heisman contender Caleb Williams from Oklahoma who started at quarterback under Riley in 2021.

The Trojans have a talented roster as well as a dozen more impactful transfers coming in for the 2022 season. That 4-8 record last year is going to look ridiculous compared to 10-plus wins in 2022.

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