USC ranked No. 15 in Preseason AP Top 25 Poll

USC’s stating position for the 2018 season will be right in the middle of the preseason rankings. The Trojans come in at No. 15 of the 2018 AP Preseason Top 25 that released Monday morning.

The No. 15 ranking is the same ranking the Trojans received in the coaches preseason top 25 and it’s a fair one. USC is replacing a few key starters on offense which includes running back Ronald Jones II and quarterback Sam Darnold. Not to mention the poor Cotton Bowl showing to end the season. Trojan fans don’t have to debate about the team being ranked too high or too low.

USC non-conference schedule officially highlights two teams ranked in the Top 25. Texas comes in at No. 23 and Notre Dame is ranked at No. 12. The Longhorns host the Trojans on September 15th in a Top 25 battle while the Irish come to the Coliseum on November 24th.

The Trojans are one of four Pac-12 teams that appear in the AP preseason top 25. Washington Huskies are the highest ranked Pac-12 team in the polls at No. 6. The Huskies are the overwhelming favorite to win the Pac-12 Championship this season and could possibly push for the College Football Playoffs this season. The Stanford Cardinal come in at No. 13, which is two spots above the Trojans. The Cardinal will host USC September 8th in a rematch of the Pac-12 Championship game from last season. It will feature the two as top 25 teams. Oregon Ducks return to the AP Top 25 at No. 24. The Ducks went 7-6 last season, but could push for the Pac-12 North.

Defending national champions Alabama Crimson Tide once again at the Top of the AP Polls with 42 first place votes. Clemson Tigers are right behind the Tide at No. 2 with 18 first place votes. National runner up Georgia (No. 3) and the Wisconsin Badgers (No. 4) round out the top 4. Wisconsin has only one first place vote.

The No. 15 USC Trojans kickoff the 2018 season at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum against the UNLV Running Rebels on September 1st.