After Ohio State Win, USC’s College Football Playoff Path Becomes Clear in New Rankings
A ranking after a major win
The first College Football Playoff Top 25 places USC at No. 20. The Trojans entered the rankings after defeating Ohio State 30-18 at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.
USC is 7-2 overall and 4-2 in Big Ten play. Its AP ranking is No. 18, two places higher than its CFP position.
Three games shape USC’s chances
The Trojans have Indiana on Nov. 14, Maryland on Nov. 21, and UCLA on Nov. 28 remaining in the regular season. Indiana is ranked No. 4, while UCLA is No. 8.
The article says wins over Indiana and UCLA should put USC in position to reach the Big Ten championship game on Dec. 5 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. It also says those results could be enough for the Trojans to enter the 12-team playoff for the first time.
Why USC may rank lower
USC is the Big Ten’s fifth-highest-ranked team, behind Indiana, UCLA, Ohio State at No. 12, and Iowa at No. 19. Its recent win over the Buckeyes could support a case for a higher spot.
Indiana matchup comes first
The game in Bloomington starts at 12:30 p.m. PT and will air on CBS. It will be USC’s first meeting with Indiana since the Trojans joined the Big Ten in 2024; USC leads the all-time series 4-0, with the last meeting in 1982.
Key points
- USC is No. 20 in the first College Football Playoff rankings after beating No. 12 Ohio State.
- The Trojans have three regular-season games remaining, including contests against Indiana and UCLA.
- USC’s 24-7 loss to Wisconsin may have affected its ranking.
- USC faces Indiana on Nov. 14 in Bloomington at 12:30 p.m. PT on CBS.