CHICAGO — The stage was set this past summer, and Lincoln Riley was a ball of nerves. The USC coach should have been used to weathering pressure by that point. After all, his past two seasons in Los Angeles had been a rollercoaster of high expectations and uneven results. Yet on a humid July afternoon at the Big Ten media days, Riley appeared almost restless, shifting in his seat as he faced a room full of reporters. When asked about the Trojans' prospects for the upcoming season, he paused, then leaned forward with a determined look.

"We are well-equipped to win consistently," Riley said. "I have never been more confident in the depth of this football team. The pieces are in place."

Those words carried weight. USC has not won a national championship since 2004, and the program's return to the Big Ten this fall marks a new chapter. Riley's hiring in 2021 was meant to restore the glory days, but the journey has been bumpy. A 2023 campaign that started with playoff hopes ended with a 7-6 record, exposing defensive frailties. The following year saw improvement, yet the Trojans still fell short of the College Football Playoff.

Now, Riley is banking on a revamped roster. Quarterback Miller Moss, who took over late last season, has impressed coaches with his command of the offense. The receiving corps, led by Zachariah Branch and a pair of transfer targets, promises explosive plays. On defense, Riley brought in a new coordinator and added several veteran transfers from the SEC and Big Ten, aiming to shore up a unit that has been the team's Achilles' heel.

"We have a different mentality this year," Riley said. "The players understand what it takes to win in this league. We have recruited to fit the physicality of the Big Ten."

The schedule is daunting. USC opens with a tough non-conference game against LSU, then faces Big Ten powers like Michigan, Ohio State, and Penn State. Riley acknowledged the challenge but dismissed any notion of settling for mediocrity.

"We are not here to just compete. We are here to win championships," he said. "That is the standard at USC. I feel the pressure, and I embrace it."

Riley's confidence is not shared by everyone. Some analysts question whether USC's offensive line, which lost two starters, can hold up against elite defenses. Others wonder if the defensive overhaul will gel quickly enough. But Riley remains unfazed, pointing to the team's offseason conditioning and the leadership of veterans like linebacker Eric Gentry and safety Kamari Ramsey.

"The culture is changing," Riley said. "You can feel it in the weight room, in the meeting rooms. These guys are hungry."

As the session ended, Riley stood up and shook hands with reporters, his earlier nervousness replaced by a calm assurance. The Trojans will have their chance to prove him right or wrong starting in late August. For now, Riley is convinced that the foundation for sustained success has been laid.