Closer to the beginning part of the summer, many outside football voices were hesitant to place too much trust in this season's USC team. That statement alone is being charitable. For many, the expectation for the Trojans is that of anticipating further underwhelming disappointment.
There does appear to be a slight shift from that perspective that is beginning to take place in terms of how coach Lincoln Riley's program is currently viewed with less than a month to go before the games kick off.
More neutral voices and fans of other fan bases are beginning to allow themselves to have some room for USC to push a potential nine-plus-win year in 2025.