USC Moves To No. 11 in Selection Committee’s Latest Top 25 Rankings. New Playoff Hopes?

USC playoff hopes may have revived after the latest College Football Playoff Poll.

Following USC’s 49-35 victory on Saturday night, the Trojans took a huge jump from No. 17 to No. 11 as the playoff selection committee released their latest Top 25 rankings Tuesday night. USC is once again knocking on the door of the top ten and it comes at a very opportunistic time. The Trojans benefited off of 5 teams that were ranked ahead of them losing their games last week. Not to mention USC defeating a previous ranked Arizona team.

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With this latest ranking, USC found themselves in an interesting spot. Not only can the clinch the Pac-12 South this week with a win over Colorado, but they could set themselves up for much more if they can win out. Once again USC is in the playoff discussion, however there’s a lot that has to happen during the next few weeks. Obviously the Trojans have to win out, which means winning the Pac-12 Championship and beating Washington State or Washington, but the teams ahead would likely have to lose once or twice. Teams like Clemson, Oklahoma, and TCU would have to lose at least once more between now and championship weekend while teams like Miami and Wisconsin would need to lose twice as well for a chance for USC to be a serious threat to be one of the 4 teams. Let’s say chaos happens and USC climbs up to No. 6 by Championship weekend and defeats Washington/Washington State in the Pac-12 Championship game. USC’s would have to hope that the committee sees the Trojans as one of the Top 4 teams in the Nation. It’ll be difficult to see USC over a two loss Oklahoma or Clemson team. Also don’t forget about Ohio State or Michigan State if they win out. Safe to say the way USC lost to Notre Dame made things difficult for them to break into the field of 4.

While USC new ranking gives new hope for those College Football Playoffs dreams, it’s unlikely the Trojans sneak into one of the four spots. For now USC winning the remainder of their games and playing in a New Years 6 Bowl Game.