The USC football team cracked the top 10 in the Big Ten Conference preseason poll, and UCLA is predicted to finish in the bottom half of the conference.<\/p>\n
The Trojans are picked ninth and the Bruins are 15th in the annual preseason media poll released by Cleveland.com, which began compiling predictions after the Big Ten ceased to issue a poll 15 years ago.<\/p>\n
Twenty-four media members participated, including beat writers from all 18 Big Ten teams.<\/p>\n
USC went 7-6 overall last season, 4-5 in Big Ten play.<\/p>\n
Lincoln Riley enters his fourth season as the Trojans\u2019 head coach with expectations looming. Eight of USC\u2019s games last season were decided by seven points or less, including a 33-30 overtime loss to Penn State, which was picked first overall in this year\u2019s poll.<\/p>\n
Accomplished defensive coordinator D\u2019Anton Lynn is back for his second year with USC, while the Trojans will need to make a statement both on the offensive line and at quarterback.<\/p>\n
Zach Hanson takes over as the O-line coach this season after last year\u2019s group allowed 21 sacks. Jayden Maiava is expected to start at quarterback this season after former quarterback Miller Moss transferred to Louisville.<\/p>\n
Maiava threw for 1,201 yards and 11 touchdowns while rushing for 91 yards and four touchdowns in seven games last season, taking over as the starter during the season.<\/p>\n
UCLA and second-year head coach Deshaun Foster find themselves staring up at most of the conference based on the poll.<\/p>\n
The Bruins produced multiple NFL Draft picks<\/a> last season \u2013 including linebackers Carson Schwesinger<\/a> and Oluwafemi Oladejo<\/a> \u2013 but struggled to win games in their first season in the Big Ten, finishing 5-7 overall and 3-6 in conference play.<\/p>\n