We are at the point in the season when the College Football Playoff committee gives its rankings for the best teams in the country. To the surprise of no one, the USC Trojans are not viewed favorably by the committee. The Trojans have given experts reasons to doubt them, but still, given what the Trojans have put on tape, being placed as the No. 18 team in the country seems too low.
There is bias across the college football landscape. The Alabama Crimson Tide dominated the LSU Tigers last week, but with two losses on their resume, they should not be ranked above an undefeated UCLA Bruins team. SEC bias remains a huge factor in these rankings. That is exactly why you see a 6-3 South Carolina Gamecocks team placed above USC.
The great thing about
this flawed projection for USC is that the Trojans get to face the No. 9 team in the country (Indiana) this Saturday, and the No. 4 team in the country (UCLA) at the end of the regular season. If USC thinks this No. 18 ranking is not correct, the Trojans have the opportunity to do something about it. If USC wins out, the Trojans will be in the College Football Playoff with one of the best resumes.
We have seen a USC team that is capable of being one of the best teams in the country, as shown in its blowout of Ohio State. However, they also got punched in the mouth by the Oregon Ducks and the Wisconsin Badgers.
This will be a monumental week for the USC Trojans. It will decide what this season looks like and how it will be remembered. It helps that the Trojans are coming into this week healthier and with great confidence. It is time for Lincoln Riley and this team to silence the doubters and right their wrongs.
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This article originally appeared on Trojans Wire: USC Trojans will be in the playoff if they win out and finish 10-2
