USC Football approaching Top 10 of AP poll after Colorado win

USC Football neared the Top 10 of the AP poll following their 38-24 victory over Colorado, clinching the Pac-12 South division title.

USC Football’s biggest reward for beating Colorado on Saturday was securing the Pac-12 South and a berth in the conference championship game, but there was more windfall from the victory in Boulder.

The Trojans enjoyed a boost in the polls as they moved to 9-2 on the season.

Voters in the AP poll lifted USC to three places to No. 12 in their latest rankings. The Trojans overtook No. 14 UCF in their climb while also benefiting from No. 16 Washington’s loss to Stanford on Friday. No. 22 Michigan’s loss to Penn State also benefited the Trojans.

However, the Trojans stopped short of leaping TCU at No. 11 after the Horned Frogs fell to No. 3 Oklahoma.

USC’s best win got a little bit better with Stanford returning to the Top 25. The Cardinal downed Washington and moved to No. 20.

With Washington State at No. 15 and Washington at No. 16, the Trojans are the highest ranking Pac-12 squad.

In the coaches poll, USC did complete the rise into the Top 10, rising four places to No. 10, jumping over TCU and Washington as they tumbled down the table.

With Penn State at No. 11, the Trojans hold the slimmest of advantages over the Nittany Lions in voting, separated by just five points.

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The Huskies settled at No. 15, just one spot ahead of rival Washington State at No. 16, opposite of their positions in the AP. Stanford also returned to the Top 25 at No. 23, leaving Arizona as the only other Pac-12 school receiving votes.

USC can continue to improve their ranking this coming week in a primetime rivalry matchup with UCLA.

TRENDING: Studs and Duds from USC vs. Colorado

Though the Bruins are barely scraping for bowl eligibility this year, there will be plenty of eyes tuning in to watch NFL prospects Sam Darnold and Josh Rosen battle. The Trojans, who have struggled to pass the eye test for much of 2017, could use the matchup as a showcase moment to end the regular season.