entertainment and movies - Former USC football standout LenDale White has made a bold prediction for his alma mater's 2025 season, asserting that the Trojans will finally break through to the College Football Playoff under head...
coach Lincoln Riley. White's optimistic outlook comes at a crucial time for the program, which is looking to rebound from a disappointing 7-6 season.
White, who formed part of the legendary 'Thunder and Lightning' backfield with Reggie Bush during USC's dominant run in the early 2000s, shared his insights during a chance encounter at LAX. His unwavering support for Riley comes amid growing scrutiny of the coach's performance after three seasons that have fallen short of the lofty expectations at Southern California.
The landscape of college football has undergone dramatic changes since White's playing days, when USC was a perennial national championship contender under Pete Carroll. The introduction of the transfer portal and NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) deals has fundamentally altered how programs maintain their rosters and compete for talent.
White specifically addressed these challenges, noting how the ability of players to transfer without sitting out a season has made it more difficult for coaches to build and maintain program stability. This modern reality stands in stark contrast to the era of Pete Carroll and Nick Saban, when programs could more readily develop talent over multiple years.
The upcoming season holds particular significance as college football transitions to an expanded 12-team playoff format, potentially offering USC more pathways to national championship contention. With the Trojans' season opener against Missouri State approaching, the program stands at a crucial juncture in its pursuit of returning to national prominence.
White, who formed part of the legendary 'Thunder and Lightning' backfield with Reggie Bush during USC's dominant run in the early 2000s, shared his insights during a chance encounter at LAX. His unwavering support for Riley comes amid growing scrutiny of the coach's performance after three seasons that have fallen short of the lofty expectations at Southern California.
The landscape of college football has undergone dramatic changes since White's playing days, when USC was a perennial national championship contender under Pete Carroll. The introduction of the transfer portal and NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) deals has fundamentally altered how programs maintain their rosters and compete for talent.
White specifically addressed these challenges, noting how the ability of players to transfer without sitting out a season has made it more difficult for coaches to build and maintain program stability. This modern reality stands in stark contrast to the era of Pete Carroll and Nick Saban, when programs could more readily develop talent over multiple years.
The upcoming season holds particular significance as college football transitions to an expanded 12-team playoff format, potentially offering USC more pathways to national championship contention. With the Trojans' season opener against Missouri State approaching, the program stands at a crucial juncture in its pursuit of returning to national prominence.