USC Climbs in Latest Polls ahead of a top-15 showdown with rival Notre Dame

USC is knocking on the door of the Top 10. After their thrilling victory over Utah last Saturday night, USC climbed up two spots to No. 11 in the latest AP Top 25 that released Sunday morning. Since their loss to Washington State, USC found themselves slowly climbing back up the polls, giving them a chance to stay alive in the Playoff talk before the College Football Playoff rankings release.

Saturday they have a huge test in South Bend against Notre Dame. The Irish were on a bye, however they moved up 3 spots to No. 13. All eyes will be on the Irish and Trojans as winner will likely have a key win under their belt and likely move into the top 10 the next day.

The rest of the Pac-12 had some huge shifting through the Top 25. Washington State made an appearance in the Top 10 last week at No. 8. They quickly dropped 7 spots to No. 15 following their 37-3 loss to Cal on Friday night. Washington also slipped out of the Top 10 from No. 5 to No. 12 after their 13-7 loss at Arizona State late Saturday night. Stanford moved up a spot to No. 22 following their victory at home over Oregon. Utah dropped out of the Top 25 after their loss to USC.

Other notables in the top 25 featured Clemson dropping only to No. 7 where Penn State became the new No. 2 team in the nation. Georgia and TCU jumped into the Top 4 where Wisconsin is just on the outside at No. 5. Ohio State slowly climbs to No.6 where Miami makes its way to the Top 10 at No. 8. Both Oklahoma and Oklahoma State rounds out the Top 10.

The huge shakeups and upsets to teams helped USC’s chances of making the playoffs, but losses to Washington State and Washington also hurt the Trojans and the Pac-12 in general. Beating a top 15 team on the road with a win on Saturday over Notre Dame, however, should provide a nice resume boost should the Trojans be in the conversation a month or so from now.