This week's USC bowl projections: Will the Trojans make a game?
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.
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.
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.
Top 10
- 1New
DJ Lagway injury
Florida QB practices Wednesday
- 2
Tyrell Ward
LSU guard steps away from team
- 3
NIL concerns
Mark Stoops says player would 'give the money back'
- 4Hot
CFP Top 25
First College Football Playoff rankings
- 5
Heisman campaign
Travis Hunter makes case to lift Heisman Trophy
* 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.
Sun Bowl – Dec. 31 in El Paso against Duke
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.
No Bowl Game
Last week: Same projection
