USC Trojans Remain Outside Top 10 in Week Four AP Poll

After an off week for the USC Trojans, where will they stand in the latest AP Poll update after week four of the college football season?

Charlie Viehl | Sep 15, 2024

Sep 7, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; USC Trojans head coach Lincoln Riley reacts against the Utah State Aggies during the second quarter at United Airlines Field at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. / Jonathan Hui-Imagn Images

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The No. 11 USC Trojans did not play a game in week three, but the team can still see movement in the AP Poll because of any action happening around them. However, with so few upsets and ranked matchups over the weekend, USC will most likely stay outside of the top ten.

No. 2 Georgia struggled on the road against an unranked Kentucky. The Bulldogs offense scored 13 points, but they came away with the win because the defense allowed only 12. After the narrow victory, Georgia coach Kirby Smart and his team lost the No. 1 spot to the Texas Longhorns.

No. 6 Missouri hosted No. 24 Boston College in the only ranked matchup on Saturday, Sept. 14. Missouri held on to beat BC 27-21. The close victory over a ranked ACC school should keep Missouri in its position at six. The Tigers are one of six SEC schools ranked in the top ten, with Texas joining the conference this season. Missouri fell one spot to No. 7.

Sep 7, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; USC Trojans head coach Lincoln Riley reacts against the Utah State Aggies

Below the Trojans, No. 12 Utah struggled with Utah State in a rivalry matchup. The Utes came away with a comeback win, but they were without quarterback Cameron Rising. Out with an injured hand, Rising's return is unclear. Additionally, No. 20 Arizona lost handily to No. 14 Kansas State.

No. 16 LSU came back on the road against South Carolina, surviving an upset. After the Trojans beat the Tigers in week one, each LSU win further strengthens the USC resume.

AP voters ranked the Trojans No. 23 to begin the season, but they moved them up to No. 11 after wins over No. 16 LSU and Utah State. After few surprises in week three, the Trojans do not expect to move much in the week four edition of the AP Poll.

Sep 7, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; USC Trojans wide receiver Zachariah Branch (1) runs the ball against Utah State Aggies linebacker Jon Ross Maye (1) during the second quarter at United Airlines Field at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. / Jonathan Hui-Imagn Images

USC is currently the fourth-highest ranked team in its first year after joining the Big Ten, sitting behind No. 3 Ohio State, No. 9 Oregon, and No. 10 Penn State.

On Saturday, Sept. 21, the USC coach Lincoln Riley and his team will travel to Ann Arbor to face No. 18 Michigan in the Big House. Michigan lost to Texas in week two, and they struggled with Arkansas State in week three, only winning by 10 points.

Here is the full poll:

1 Texas

2 Georgia

3 Ohio State

4 Alabama

5 Ole Miss

6 Tennessee

7 Missouri

8 Miami

9 Oregon

10 Penn State

11 USC