USC benefits from LSU, Clemson losses, is No. 4 in USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll
The USC Trojans are No. 4 in the new USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll.
The college football regular season is winding down after another wild weekend. The USC Trojans are locked into the Pac-12 title game against Utah, the only team that defeated USC this season.
Georgia and LSU battle it out in the SEC title game, a matchup that will drastically change the CFP field depending on the outcome.
There are plenty of eye-opening matchups with the College Football Playoff being decided in one week, and the Trojans have to like where they are right now.
Let us examine the latest USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll with conference championship weekend coming up:
GEORGIA BULLDOGS
Georgia is undefeated and plays LSU for the SEC title. A top seed in the CFP is right in from of them.
MICHIGAN WOLVERINES
The Wolverines defeated Ohio State and now head to the Big Ten title game.
TCU HORNED FROGS
TCU has been the best story of the year and they are 12-0 heading to the Big 12 title game. Can they finish 13-0 and secure a spot in the playoff?
USC TROJANS
In Lincoln Riley’s first year in L.A., the Trojans are 11-1 and in the Pac-12 title game. A win against Utah will have them looking really good for the playoff selection committee. Win and in. It’s that simple. USC will need help only if it loses, not if it wins.
OHIO STATE BUCKEYES
Ohio State lost to Michigan for their first loss of the season. Their resume is still worthy of consideration, but the playoff will not be in their future if TCU and USC both win.
ALABAMA CRIMSON TIDE
The Crimson Tide are 10-2. Nick Saban’s team most likely won’t be in the CFP, but if USC and TCU both lose, the Tide have a real shot.
PENN STATE NITTANY LIONS
Penn State is 10-2 as well, and another Big Ten team is in the top 10. Once USC joins, this conference gets even better.
TENNESSEE VOLUNTEERS
The Volunteers were on top of the CFP rankings, then Georgia came. Then South Carolina came, and now Tennessee is eighth. Tennessee might not be fully done in the playoff chase, but the Vols must have total chaos above them in order to have a prayer.
WASHINGTON HUSKIES
The Huskies absolutely crushed the Kalen DeBoer hire, and in his first season, they are 10-2 with some impressive victories.
KANSAS STATE WILDCATS
The Wildcats are 9-3 and face TCU in the Big 12 title game. I think all USC fans are rooting hard for the Wildcats to defeat the Horned Frogs.
Why? It would mean USC could get into the Fiesta Bowl and avoid Georgia in the Peach Bowl in Atlanta. (If the Trojans win, of course.)
CLEMSON TIGERS
Clemson is in the ACC title game but the Tigers are 10-2 on the year after a shocking home loss to South Carolina.
UTAH UTES
Utah has three losses, but the Utes also have some impressive victories over USC and Oregon State. They go for back-to-back Pac-12 titles this Friday against the Trojans.
LSU TIGERS
LSU’s loss to Texas A&M dropped them far down the rankings, and that’s understandable with the Aggies getting just their fifth win of the year.
FLORIDA STATE SEMINOLES
Florida State is 9-3 but the Seminoles are not in the ACC title game.
OREGON DUCKS
The Ducks needed to defeat Oregon State to get into the Pac-12 title game. Unfortunately, a late fourth-quarter collapse is keeping them at home watching instead.
OREGON STATE BEAVERS
The top half of the Pac-12 has enjoyed a magnificent season, and the Beavers are one spot behind Oregon.
UCLA BRUINS
UCLA had a shot to get to the Pac-12 title game, but the Bruins were unable to defeat USC, and a loss to Arizona is ugly on their resume.
TULANE GREEN WAVE
Tulane checks in as the highest-ranked Group of Five team and has a 10-2 record. Tulane plays UCF for a spot in the Cotton Bowl.
NOTRE DAME FIGHTING IRISH
The Irish couldn’t defeat USC, but Marcus Freeman’s first year in South Bend has been better after the loss to Stanford in midseason.
SOUTH CAROLINA GAMECOCKS
A thrashing against Tennessee and a win over Clemson have helped South Carolina a ton, and the Gamecocks have an 8-4 record.
TEXAS LONGHORNS
Texas couldn’t defeat Kansas State, so the Longhorns are left out of the Big 12 title game.
NORTH CAROLINA TAR HEELS
North Carolina can make a statement with a win over Clemson in the ACC title game.
UCF GOLDEN KNIGHTS
UCF is 9-3 on the year and remains in the top 25. Tulane is next in a rematch in New Orleans. UCF won the first meeting.
UTSA ROADRUNNERS
UTSA has enjoyed another stellar campaign with a 10-2 record.
MISSISSIPPI STATE BULLDOGS
Mississippi State rounds out the top 25 with an 8-4 record.
