Entering the 2026 football season, redshirt senior quarterback Jayden Maiava could not be under more pressure.

After failing to lead USC to its first-ever College Football Playoff appearance last season, Maiava decided to return to the Trojans for his final college season and forgo the 2026 NFL Draft despite being a projected top-10 quarterback in the class.

And it’s safe to say Maiava’s situation did not get much better during the offseason.

Now, Maiava leads a heavily depleted receiving core, one that lost four of its top five standout pass catchers, including Biletnikoff Award winner Makai Lemon, Ja’Kobi Lane, Lake McRee and Walker Lyons.

Additionally, with an egregiously difficult schedule — arguably one of the hardest in all of college football this year — lying ahead of the Trojans, including matchups against three of the top six ranked teams in the Associated Press Poll, the lights could not shine brighter on Maiava.

And given everything we know, Maiava is not built for the moment. Plain and simple.

Take a look at some of the toughest games last season, like Week 5 against Illinois. Both teams were ranked going into the game, with the Trojans at No. 21 and the Fighting Illini at No. 23. Maiava had a good game, throwing for over 350 yards, two touchdown passes and one interception.

But with just over six minutes left in the game and down six, USC got the ball after a huge fumble recovery from senior safety Christian Pierce. The Trojans needed to move 80 yards downfield while ensuring Illinois had no time to respond.

The first six plays were perfect: small gains on runs and passes that led to first downs.

But the final three plays of the drive were way too fast.

In just over one minute, Maiava and redshirt senior running back Waymond Jordan combined for 47 yards, with Maiava’s dart to Lemon securing the obviously needed touchdown. But in doing so, they gave the ball back to an Illinois offense that was successful all game with about two minutes to go and three timeouts.

The Fighting Illini capitalized and kicked an easy, game-winning field goal. 

Yes, I understand that you need to score a touchdown in that moment. But I also understand that you have to be smart with the clock, especially when you have to drive all the way across the field. 

It’s much easier said than done, but still, you have to ice the game there. Understandably, after the game, Head Coach Lincoln Riley did admit it was his fault, which takes some of the blame off Maiava, but the point still stands. A veteran quarterback like Maiava in this day and age likely can push back some.

After a great bounce-back against Michigan, the Trojans faced their rival Notre Dame in Week 7. Maiava had a solid game, throwing for over 325 yards and two touchdowns, but he had two costly interceptions, including one that sealed the game for the Fighting Irish.

A few weeks later, in the biggest game of the year with playoff hopes on the line, USC faced off against Oregon. A similar stat line followed Maiava as he threw for over 300 yards and three touchdowns but, yet again, two costly interceptions in a Trojan loss.

What is one thing all of these games have in common?

Besides the inability to work the clock and disastrous interceptions, all three were on the road, something Maiava has struggled with throughout his collegiate career. And that’s not even counting whatever happened at the Alamo Bowl. Yikes.

This season, No. 14 USC faces two ranked teams on the road: the reigning national champions, No. 6 Indiana, and No. 18 Penn State.

While this may have nothing to do with Maiava — or maybe it does, since he has been at the helm for just under two seasons — Riley still does not have a single win over a top-10 opponent in his four years at USC. 

With Maiava heading into his third season donning the cardinal and gold, the 22-year-old will look to change that narrative as three key battles await him.

Don’t get me wrong: While it may seem like I’m saying Maiava is not built for the spotlight, he is still a great quarterback. In fact, Maiava could be one of the best this year.

He knows how to lead the passing and running game. Maiava led the nation in quarterback rating last year and accumulated the most passing yards in the Big Ten. Additionally, his ability to maneuver out of the pocket when necessary is a bonus to his already well-rounded game.

But with the culmination of a monstrously challenging schedule, loss of top receivers and a less-than-favorable history on the road, Maiava is not set up for success.

If Maiava can somehow lead the Trojans to the playoffs, he will no doubt be a Heisman Trophy contender and among the top quarterbacks taken in the 2027 NFL Draft. Maybe even a first-round pick.

You want the truth? Maiava has the capabilities to do it, but it’s highly unlikely he will.

But you never know with a Riley quarterback. He might just shock the world.

Dillon Zamperin is a sophomore writing about USC sports and the bigger picture of it all in his column, “Inside the Lines.” He is also a sports editor at the Daily Trojan.