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In college football, raw talent alone does not guarantee victory. Coaching, player development, and even a bit of luck often play decisive roles, especially as parity across the sport continues to grow.
That line of thinking led College GameDay analyst Pat McAfee to go against the grain with one of his marquee Week 8 selections. Despite USC entering the season with the top-ranked recruiting class in the country, McAfee foresees a loss for the Trojans in their upcoming matchup.
While discussing No. 16 USC's visit to Washington, McAfee first offered a lighthearted thank you to USC's journalism department before delivering his surprising forecast.
McAfee's Upset Special
"Wisconsin beats USC today," McAfee declared. "They're going to jump in."
USC and head coach Lincoln Riley have posted a strong 6-1 start to the 2026 campaign. The Trojans are ranked No. 16 nationally, with their only loss coming to Oregon, and they enter the game riding victories over Washington and Penn State in their last two outings.
Wisconsin, meanwhile, is a dangerous home opponent. The Badgers sit at 4-2 and boosted their own résumé by winning at Penn State in late September.
Top 2026 Class Brings High Expectations
Expectations around USC are always lofty, but Riley faces particularly outsized ones after securing what On3 rated as the nation's No. 1 recruiting class for 2026. Five-star edge rusher Luke Wafle and tight end Mark Bowman headlined the group, and the Trojans landed nine players from the Rivals Industry Top 100.
In his four seasons at USC, Riley has struggled to return the program to national prominence. His best year was his first, 2022, when the Trojans went 11-3 and finished No. 12 and No. 13 in the final polls. The glory days of the early 2000s under Pete Carroll are fading, and a loss to Wisconsin could spell real trouble.
USC's Looming Challenges
With a schedule that includes hosting Ohio State next week and a road trip to Indiana the following game, USC could be in free-fall if it falls to the Badgers. Maryland should be an easy opponent, but a top-ten UCLA team awaits in the regular-season finale, making today's game the best buffer against a 7-5 finish—a record that would likely leave Riley either job-hunting or feeling the heat of one of the hottest seats in college football.
USC has gotten instant production from its freshman class. Wafle already has 27 tackles and a pair of sacks, while Bowman has 21 receptions and two touchdowns. But without a win over Wisconsin, USC might be facing significant postseason changes around its program.