3 biggest question marks for USC football heading into 2022

The USC football team enters the upcoming college football season with sky-high expectations in year one of the Lincoln Riley era — what are the biggest questions facing the Trojans in 2022?

Legendary USC football coach Pete Carroll left the Trojans after the 2009 college football season to join the NFL’s Seattle Seahawks, taking with him years of sustained success, swagger, and pop culture relevancy.

After Carroll left, a revolving door of coaches came through the LA Memorial Coliseum: Lane Kiffin, Ed Orgeron, Steve Sarkisian, Clay Helton, and Donte Williams.

Now, with Lincoln Riley at the helm, there’s enthusiasm brewing that hasn’t been present since those Pete Carroll days.

Riley is a proven winner, he’s young and can recruit better than just about anyone in the country. He’s brought in a ton of transfer talent in year one and it’s raised a lot of eyebrows.

Our Connor Muldowney has pegged the Trojans as a preseason Top-10 team.

The first USA Today Coaches Poll of the 2022 college football season places the team at No. 15 in the country.

Several players are on preseason awards watchlists. Phil Steele has ranked USC’s quarterback, running back and wide receiver units as the best in the Pac-12.

If that wasn’t enough, everyone has been talking about USC football in 2024— the year they are reportedly set to join the Big 10. But will they enter their new conference as a powerhouse or as a slowly rebuilding program?

Let’s dive into the three biggest questions facing the USC Trojans before we kick off the 2022 college football season.