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USC is No. 4 in AP, Coaches Polls

Erik-McKinneyby:Erik McKinney•11/27/22•

ErikTMcKinney

Mario Williams #4 of the USC Trojans runs the ball against Brandon Joseph #16 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in the second half at United Airlines Field at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on November 26, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Rona
Mario Williams #4 of the USC Trojans runs the ball against Brandon Joseph #16 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

The USC Trojans are the No. 4 team in both the AP and Coaches Polls this week. It’s the highest ranking in the AP Poll for the Trojans since they were No. 4 in Week 3 of the 2017 season. USC hasn’t been higher than No. 4 since it finished the 2016 season at No. 3.

USC has been ranked every week this season. The Trojans started the season ranked No. 14 in the AP Poll and No. 15 in the Coaches Poll. That’s the lowest they’ve been all season. It’s a remarkable accomplishment for a program that completely fell out of the polls at Week 3 last season and struggled to a 4-8 record.

USC rose one spot in both polls this week, jumping Ohio State, which fell from No. 2 to No. 5 following a decisive loss to Michigan at home.

USC and Ohio State are the only one-loss teams in the country. Undefeated Georgia, Michigan and TCU are Nos. 1-3 in both polls. Michigan was able to grab five first-place votes in the AP Poll and three in the Coaches Poll. But Georgia continues its firm grasp on the No. 1 spot.

There’s an interesting quirk to the schedule this week, with championship week hitting college football. The top four teams in both polls are all in action. Georgia, Michigan, TCU and USC will play in their respective conference championship games. But they’ll do so against teams with at least three losses and likely without any hope of playing their way into the College Football playoff. Georgia will face No. 11 LSU. Michigan will play unranked Purdue. TCU will take on No. 13 Kansas State. And USC will battle No. 12 Utah.

The real discussion will begin Tuesday evening, when this week’s College Football Playoff rankings are released. Last week, USC came in at No. 6, behind two-loss LSU. Losses by LSU and Ohio State (last week’s No. 2) seemingly clear the way for USC to move into the No. 4 spot just as it has in these polls.

USC is coming off back-to-back wins over ranked opponents. The UCLA Bruins are in at No. 17 in both polls this week. And Notre Dame dropped just a bit to No. 19 in both polls. Oregon State continues to be a ranked win for USC, as the Beavers are at No. 16 in both polls.

Week 14 AP Poll

  1. Georgia (12-0) (58 first-place votes)
  2. Michigan (12-0) (5)
  3. TCU (12-0)
  4. USC (11-1)
  5. Ohio State (11-1)
  6. Alabama (10-2)
  7. Tennessee (10-2)
  8. Penn State (10-2)
  9. Washington (10-2)
  10. Clemson (10-2)
  11. LSU (9-3)
  12. Utah (9-3)
  13. Kansas State (9-3)
  14. Florida State (9-3)
  15. Oregon (9-3)
  16. Oregon State (9-3)
  17. UCLA (9-3)
  18. Tulane (10-2)
  19. Notre Dame (8-4)
  20. South Carolina (8-4)
  21. Texas (8-4)
  22. UCF (9-3)
  23. UTSA (10-2)
  24. North Carolina (9-3)
  25. Mississippi State (8-4)

Week 14 Coaches Poll

  1. Georgia (12-0) (60 first-place votes)
  2. Michigan (12-0) (3)
  3. TCU (12-0)
  4. USC (11-1)
  5. Ohio State (11-1)
  6. Alabama (10-2)
  7. Penn State (10-2)
  8. Tennessee (10-2)
  9. Washington (10-2)
  10. Kansas State (9-3)
  11. Clemson (10-2)
  12. Utah (9-3)
  13. LSU (9-3)
  14. Florida State (9-3)
  15. Oregon (9-3)
  16. Oregon State (9-3)
  17. UCLA (9-3)
  18. Tulane (10-2)
  19. Notre Dame (8-4)
  20. South Carolina (8-4)
  21. Texas (8-4)
  22. North Carolina (9-3)
  23. UCF (9-3)
  24. UTSA (10-2)
  25. Mississippi State (8-4)

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Garry Paskwietz (1966-2019)

Garry Paskwietz was a pioneer in bringing team-specific sports coverage to the internet. He founded WeAreSC in 1998 and was an Emmy winner for his work with Fox Sports West. Always generous with his time, knowledge, and compassion, he touched the lives of countless USC and high school football fans.

Garry Paskwietz