11. USC TROJANS (4-4, 2-4)
Previous Rank: 14
Week 9 Result: W 42-20 vs. Rutgers
Key defensive injuries make this USC team even more difficult to trust, but they were a non-factor last Friday when the Trojans cruised to a comfortable win. This team might find itself in a few more shootouts before the season is done, and Lincoln Riley is no stranger to winning that brand of football. Snapping a three-game losing streak was the first step in righting the ship, and Riley must now at least split his final four games to ensure USC goes bowling. Chances are, this will still be a disappointing year when it is all said and done, but Riley at least prevented the bottom from falling out — for now.
