The USC Trojans suffered a significant blow to their national standing after falling to the Wisconsin Badgers on Saturday, officially dropping out of the Associated Press Top 25 poll. The Trojans had occupied the No. 16 position throughout the season, but their second loss of the year ended their consecutive weeks in the rankings. In a direct consequence of the upset, Wisconsin claimed the final slot in the Top 25, marking their first loss of the season against Oregon on Sept. 26. This result shifts the narrative for the Big Ten and Pac-12 contenders, with Wisconsin now holding a prestigious ranking despite their earlier stumble.
Turnovers and a fourth-down drought sink Trojans as Badgers seize final ranking spot.
Offensive inefficiency proved fatal for USC, who managed only seven points despite outgaining Wisconsin in total offensive yards. The game was defined by costly mistakes, particularly from quarterback Jayden Maiava, who threw two interceptions that shifted momentum decisively to the Badgers. Furthermore, the Trojans struggled to sustain drives, converting on just one of three fourth-down attempts. This inability to convert key downs highlighted a critical gap in execution that Wisconsin exploited to secure the victory and the ranking spot.
Looking ahead, the Trojans face an immediate and daunting challenge as they host No. 2 Ohio State at the Coliseum next week. The loss to Wisconsin has complicated USC’s path toward a bowl game and potential playoff contention, especially with such a high-caliber opponent looming. Meanwhile, the UCLA Bruins also saw movement in the poll, rising in the rankings following their Saturday results. The shifting landscape in the AP Top 25 underscores the volatility of the college football season, where a single game can drastically alter a program’s trajectory and national perception.
Source: Yahoo Sports
