USC lands in several Way-Too-Early 2024 Top 25 rankings
The 2023 college football season officially wraps up tonight with the national championship game between the Michigan Wolverines and Washington Huskies. But there are already some eyes being cast toward the 2024 season and how programs will stack up heading into next year. Here’s where the Trojans rank on some of the more prominent predictions.
The Sporting News
USC – No. 21
What they said about the Trojans: “Caleb Williams has not declared for the 2024 NFL Draft, but that move is expected. Miller Moss’ six-TD performance in the Holiday Bowl might have answered the quarterback question for third-year coach Lincoln Riley with the Trojans moving to the Big Ten, and the hiring of defensive coordinator D’Anton Lynn from UCLA was a huge get. The Trojans get LSU in the opener at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas on Sept. 1, and they travel to Michigan in their Big Ten opener on Sept. 21. It’s not an easy schedule, but the Trojans will have enough talent to make it interesting every week.”
The Sporting News’ Top 5 programs are Georgia, Alabama, Texas, Michigan and Oregon.
Action Network
USC – No. 21
Brett McMurphy of Action Network has a top five of Georgia, Michigan, Oregon, Alabama and Ohio State. According to his Top 25, the Trojans will take on No. 2 Michigan, No. 7 Notre Dame, No. 11 Penn State, No. 14 LSU and No. 16 Washington next season.
Top 10
- 1Breaking
Bears fire Matt Eberflus
Thomas Brown to serve as interim
- 2
Memphis shakes up CFP
Tigers upsets changes CFP picture
- 3
Charles Woodson
Michigan legend opines on Sherrone Moore
- 4
A Twisted Mess
Big 12 Championship scenarios
- 5Trending
Saban chirped
Big 12 comes after GOAT
Athlon Sports
USC – No. 20
What they said about the Trojans: “Expectations at USC in ’24 will be drastically different than the ones that placed coach Lincoln Riley’s team in the mix for a playoff spot last year. With quarterback Caleb Williams off to the NFL and question marks about a porous defense, the Trojans will be picked in the middle of the Big Ten. New projected starter Miller Moss had a strong showing in the Holiday Bowl to give Riley confidence about his quarterback room for ’24. Also, Riley’s track record suggests the offense won’t be too big of an issue – even if it isn’t as productive as the last two seasons. For USC to surprise in its Big Ten debut, the defense must show marked improvement under new coordinator D’Anton Lynn. The Trojans have a handful of key portal additions on the way to help this side of the ball, but it may take some time for the scheme and talent to mesh to generate improvement.”
Athlon Sports’ top 5 includes Georgia, Alabama, Texas, Michigan and Ohio State
Bleacher Report
USC – No. 24
Like McMurphy and Action Network, Bleacher Report sees five top-16 opponents on USC’s 2024 schedule. It’s the same group in the same order, with Michigan at No. 3 and Washington in at No. 16.
