Why USC Trojans' Surprising Ranking in ESPN FPI is Deserved

The USC Trojans received a top-five ranking in ESPN's FPI Top 25 after their 59-20 win over the Georgia Southern Eagles. Do the Trojans deserve to be ranked third in the Big Ten, behind the Oregon Ducks and Ohio State Buckeyes?

Sep 6, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; USC Trojans head coach Lincoln Riley looks on during the second half at United Airlines Field at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images | Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

USC football defeated the Georgia Southern Eagles 59-20 to move to 2-0 for the fourth consecutive season. It was a game that featured another dominating performance on offense from USC starting quarterback Jayden Maiava and wide receivers Ja'Kobi Lane and Makai Lemon.

While USC hasn't played the level of competition that it will face in the Big Ten, its performance on offense has proved that they are capable of being a top-25 caliber team throughout the season.

ESPN Football Power Index praised USC after its dominating win against Georgia Southern, as the Trojans are now ranked in the top 5 in the FPI. The four teams that rank ahead of USC in the FPI Top 25 are as follows: Oregon (No. 1), Texas (No. 2), Ohio State (No. 3), and Alabama (No. 4).

Sep 6, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; USC Trojans wide receiver Zacharyus Williams (0) runs just short of the end zone during the second half against the Georgia Southern Eagles at United Airlines Field at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images | Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

USC is ranked as the third-highest Big Ten team in ESPN's updated FPI, behind the Ohio State Buckeyes and Oregon Ducks. The Trojans will open conference play on Saturday on the road against the Purdue Boilermakers.

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Three other Big Ten teams were ranked behind USC in ESPN's FPI Top 25, including Penn State, which was ranked 7th and Indiana (No. 16), and Illinois (No. 24). Meanwhile, the Trojans are unranked in the AP Top 25 Poll.

NEW: Updated ESPN FPI after week 2 of the College Football season📈📉https://t.co/dCnwYXQ9KA pic.twitter.com/H1aK2SFGXp

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Why USC Deserves Top-Five Ranking

Sep 6, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; USC Trojans quarterback Jayden Maiava (14) throws a pass during the first half against the Georgia Southern Eagles at United Airlines Field at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images | Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

Jayden Maiava, in the win against Georgia Southern, once again put on an impressive performance. Maiava threw for 412 yards and four touchdowns on 16-of-24 passing in the win against the Eagles.

After the completion of week 2, Maiava is the leader in passing in the Big Ten with 707 yards through two games. Illinois Fighting Illini quarterback Luke Altmeyer is second behind Maiava for passing yards in the Big Ten with 513.

Maiava is the top favorite to lead the Big Ten in passing yards this season. USC's wide receiver duo of Lemon and Lane also highlighted the Trojans' offensive showing against the Eagles. The two leading wide receivers for USC combined for 249 receiving yards and three touchdowns in the win against Georgia Southern.

Sep 6, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; USC Trojans wide receiver Makai Lemon (6) gets past Georgia Southern Eagles defensive back Ayden Jackson (5) for a gain during the first half at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images | Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

Lemon led the Trojans in receiving with four catches for 158 yards and two touchdowns against Georgia Southern. Fresh off a dominant performance in the season opener, USC's running backs also put on a show with Waymond Jordan, King Miller, and Eli Sanders all recording rushing touchdowns, like they did against Missouri State.

Jordan led the Trojans in rushing with 16 carries for 167 yards and a touchdown. The group has continued to prove that they can be a crucial piece to USC's offense throughout the season. USC is set to open up Big Ten play on the road next weekend against the Purdue Boilermakers.