USC Football Ranked 8th in Preseason AP Poll

The preseason AP Poll is out, meaning the 2015 college football season is now incredibly near. USC football, as per usual, has been hyped up tremendously this offseason, which has resulted in preseason ranking of No. 8. Defending national champion Ohio State was voted a unanimous No. 1.

It’s the highest the Trojans have been ranked in the preseason AP poll since 2012, when USC got the nod at No. 1. That year ultimately ended up being a disaster for Lane Kiffin’s team, as they lost four of the last five games including the Sun Bowl against Georgia Tech, finishing 7-6.

Needless to say, this Trojans team will look to have a different fate.

They were picked to win the Pac-12 conference by the assembled media at Pac-12 Media Days and bring back at Heisman Trophy candidate at quarterback in Cody Kessler, along with dynamic playmaker Adoree’ Jackson and defensive stalwart Su’a Cravens.

Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

But despite the talent on the team, they’ve got a great deal to prove, making such a high ranking hard to truly rationalize.

Kessler hasn’t had great games against teams with winning records, and USC struggled to close out games they should have won last year. All in all, they just haven’t shown that they’re worthy of a being a top 10 team yet, though the potential is certainly there.

Add in a difficult schedule that features daunting road games at Arizona State, Notre Dame and Oregon, and it’s possible that the Trojans could be an improved team from a year ago, despite not having a much improved record to show for it.

That won’t slow down expectations however, as Steve Sarkisian’s Trojans will likely face heat if they don’t win 10 games in 2015.

Here’s how the full poll shakes out.

[table id=14 /]

Is USC ranked too high?

View Results

More from Reign of Troy

Home/USC FOOTBALL NEWS