The USC Trojans suffered a significant blow to their national standing after dropping out of the AP Poll top 25 following a humiliating 24-7 road defeat to Wisconsin on Saturday. The loss snapped a winning streak and left the Trojans with a 6-2 overall record and a 3-2 mark in Big Ten play. The result was a stark contrast to their earlier season performance, signaling a sharp decline in form that the national media could no longer ignore.
Trojans receive season-low seven votes as brutal stretch ahead looms
In Sunday’s latest AP Poll, USC plummeted from No. 16 to unranked, marking the first time this season the program has missed the top 25 entirely. The Trojans received just seven votes, their lowest total since 2024, while their opponent, Wisconsin, surged into the rankings at No. 25. This drop underscores the volatility of the current college football landscape, where a single poor performance can erase weeks of accumulated momentum and prestige.
The path forward for USC is fraught with elite competition, as three of their final four opponents are currently ranked in the top 10: No. 2 Ohio State, No. 4 Indiana, and No. 7 UCLA. Given the defensive struggles and offensive stagnation displayed against Wisconsin, the Trojans face a near-impossible task to secure even one victory against this gauntlet. Analysts suggest that unless USC undergoes a dramatic tactical overhaul, their season may be effectively over in terms of conference title contention and bowl positioning.
Source: Yahoo Sports
