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This week's USC bowl projections: Will the Trojans make a game?

Erik-McKinneyby:Erik McKinney11/06/24

ErikTMcKinney

USC's offensive line takes the field during a game between the Trojans and Rutgers Scarlet Knights
USC's offensive line takes the field during a game between the Trojans and Rutgers Scarlet Knights (acscottphotography/WeAreSC)

We’ve officially turned the corner from wondering what bowl game the USC Trojans will land in, to wondering if Lincoln Riley’s program will make a bowl game at all. With just four wins and three games remaining, the Trojans need to win two of those to reach the six-win mark that guarantees bowl eligibility.

Here, we take a look around the bowl projection landscape to see where several outlets have the Trojans pegged at this point.

* CBS Sports

LA Bowl – Dec. 18 in Los Angeles against UNLV

Last week: Same projection

USC has never appeared in the Los Angeles Bowl. This will be only its fourth year in existence. The Trojans are 2-0 all-time against the Rebels, picking up wins in 1997 and 2018. Obviously with Jayden Maiava now taking over as the starting quarterback, this matchup would generate a little more interest. Maiava was the starting quarterback for the Rebels much of last season before leaving via the transfer portal.

* Action Network

Sun Bowl – Dec. 31 in El Paso against Virginia Tech

Last week: Same projection

USC is 0-3 all-time at the Sun Bowl, including a 21-7 loss to Georgia Tech to cap off a disastrous 2012 season. USC is 1-0 all-time against Virginia Tech, beating the Hokies in a neutral site game to open the Trojans’ 2004 national championship season.

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* ESPN

Sun Bowl – Dec. 31 in El Paso against Duke (Mark Schlabach)
Independence Bowl – Dec. 28 in Shreveport, Louisiana against UCF (Kyle Bonagura)

Last week: Schlabach – Same projection
Bonagura – Los Angeles Bowl against UNLV

The Trojans are 3-0 all-time against the Blue Devils, meeting once in the Rose Bowl and twice more in Los Angeles. The most recent meeting was a 35-7 win by USC all the way back in 1975.

USC and UCF have never played before.

* Sporting News

Sun Bowl – Dec. 31 in El Paso against Duke

* Sports Illustrated

None

Last Week: Alamo Bowl – Dec. 28 in San Antonio against Kansas State

Sports Illustrated doesn’t see the Trojans winning two more games. The Alamo Bowl spot USC held last week now belongs to Cal.

* USA Today

No Bowl Game

Last week: Same projection

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