Lincoln Riley said so earlier in the offseason. He said it again at Big Ten media days on Tuesday. Riley believes USC football is better equipped to compete for a College Football Playoff berth. "I do believe we're more equipped than at any point in the previous few years. That's not a hope or a wish, theres a lot of facts to back that up," Riley said. That's strong stuff. Asserting that a belief is a fact and not merely an opinion is bold. It's a display of confidence not matched by USC's track record. Riley, though, has convinced himself everything is going in the right direction at long last, in Year 5 of his USC tenure.Line playLincoln Riley says USC more depth and talent on the offensive and defensive line than the previous four years Kendell Hollowell (@KHollowell_) July 28, 2026Alignment#USC HC Lincoln Riley: "When I think about this program going into our fifth year, I think about our alignment."Really for the first time he feels the program has the same alignment #Oklahoma had when he was there. Shotgun Spratling (@ShotgunSpr) July 28, 2026Jayden MaiavaLincoln Riley on QB Jayden Maiava: Of all the guys that I've been fortunate enough to coach, I don't know that I've had anyone that has improved from day one to this point as much as Jayden has. Kendell Hollowell (@KHollowell_) July 28, 2026Mike Ekeler#USC HC Lincoln Riley on Mike Ekeler: It was a huge addition for us."A guy like that makes you better the day he walks in the door." Shotgun Spratling (@ShotgunSpr) July 28, 2026Gary PattersonLincoln Riley talking at Big Ten Media Days about his expectations for #USC's defense: pic.twitter.com/4SwlzmsFqM Shotgun Spratling (@ShotgunSpr) July 28, 2026Jide Abasiri#USC HC Lincoln Riley on Jide Abasiri: "He's a guy that does everything right."Said he's an example for everyone that doesn't have that 'dream season right away.' Shotgun Spratling (@ShotgunSpr) July 28, 2026Home-field advantageLincoln Riley expresses on the @Cover3Podcast that USCs home field advantage has grown in recent years.Home field advantage is really back in the coliseum right now.He says USCs final step to becoming champions is winning tough games on the road. Thats the challenge to pic.twitter.com/jjiai2sM2D Trojan Football (@TrojanFBx) July 28, 2026Bottom lineLincoln Riley didn't come to Big Ten media days to tell the press and a nation of fans that his team is incomplete in certain areas or that he doesn't know what kind of team he has. Some coaches will do that. Riley didn't. He obviously believes in this team and thinks something great is ready to happen. Talk, though, is cheap. It's long past time for Lincoln Riley to back it up. Moreover, if he doesn't, he might be gone.Contact/Follow@TrojansWireon X (formerly Twitter) and like our page onFacebookto follow ongoing coverage ofUSC Trojansnews, notes and opinion.This article originally appeared on Trojans Wire: Talk is cheap for Lincoln Riley at 2026 Big Ten media days