USC Football: ESPN CFB Expert Analyzes Pathway to College Football Playoff For USC

Can USC run the table this year?

USC comes into this season as one of the favorites to reach the College Football Playoff, and rightfully so. They have the best player in college football in reigning Heisman Trophy winner Caleb Williams, one of the best head coaches in Lincoln Riley, and a talented squad that is ready to right the wrongs from last season.

The expectations are high at USC, so all involved know what is at stake. Anything less than a playoff berth this season will be considered a letdown of a year.

With games at home against Colorado, Washington, Utah, and UCLA, the Trojans schedule somewhat worked out well for them. They still need to head to Auzten Stadium to face Oregon, and they have a date with long-time rival Notre Dame in South Bend. But the Trojans have the firepower to win both games; they just need to take care of business.

ESPN Senior Writer Heather Dinich broke down how the Trojans can get to the playoff.

"The same can be said for USC if the Trojans were to run the table during the regular season but lose to Washington in the conference title game. It's also possible for either team to lose to each other during the regular season but redeem it with the Pac-12 title. USC has a stronger chance to make it in as a one-loss runner-up because of the opportunity for an Oct. 14 road win at Notre Dame, compared to Washington's road trip to Michigan State, which finished 5-7 last year."

Per ESPN.com

And compared to other seasons, the Pac-12 looks very competitive this year. That should bode well for USC if they do indeed run the table, as the playoff committee will be looking at the quality of opponents, among other things.

"It also helps that there could again be multiple conference opponents ranked, as Washington, Utah, USC, Oregon, Oregon State and UCLA all finished in the committee's final 2022 ranking."

Per ESPN.com

For the Trojans, this season should be seen as make or break. Williams will be gone after it, and they must take advantage of him being with the program. 

We will see what Riley is made of as a head coach because the first season was a growing year, and while they would have liked to win the championship, he needed to build the foundation.

Now he has that standard, and the pressure is on everyone out in Southern California.