USC Football: Week 3 Results Elevate Trojans to Fourth-Best Playoff Odds

All the USC Trojans had to do this weekend was relax and watch the other games going on, and they benefitted from the results. USC has looked dominant through the first three weeks of the season, and week three showed that some of the other top teams had some fundamental weaknesses.

The Trojans moved up to having the fourth-best odds to make the College Football Playoff behind Georgia, Michigan, and Florida State. They had 11 of 15 votes from the ESPN College Football Staff.

Georgia looked shaky in their win over South Carolina, Florida State was almost upset by Boston College, and Michigan had to pull away in the second half against Bowling Green. It was a very solid weekend for the Trojans, and they now realize that if they keep up what they have been doing, they could be in good shape.

USC has yet to face competition that is deemed tougher, but their schedule does get a bit harder starting this coming weekend. They travel to take on Arizona State this weekend in what will be their first game away from the LA Coliseum.

Following the Arizona State game, the Trojans head to Boulder to take on the upstart Colorado Buffalos in what should be a highly anticipated matchup. This will be their first game against a ranked opponent, and getting a win could go a long way for their resume.

They also have matchups with Notre Dame and Utah coming up as well, so the Trojans will have plenty of chances to put things even more in their favor. USC needs to almost be perfect if they want to reach the College Football Playoff due to how it is structured. But this team seems like it has all the tools to make things happen.

After just missing the playoff last season, the Trojans have some unfinished business to attend to this year. So far, they have looked the part of a championship contender, with their defense stepping up. If both sides of the ball are clicking for this Trojans team, that should scare opposing teams.