USC finishes 18th in final CFP rankings and gets Big XII opponent in bowl game

Following conference championship Saturday, the College Football Playoff rankings were unveiled. While most awaited the announcement to determine the 12-team playoff field, the USC Trojans discovered not only their standing in the eyes of the committee but also the implications for their bowl game prospects.

The Trojans, who have appeared in every release of the rankings this season, once again secured the No. 16 spot. Their unchanged ranking is understandable, given their inactivity during Championship Saturday. Notably, USC was absent from the rankings for the entirety of last season, so the fact that they maintained a ranked position every week this season demonstrates clear, tangible progress within the program. In total, the Trojans finished 2-2 on the season against top 25 opponents with wins against Iowa and Michigan and road losses to Notre Dame and Oregon.

Trojans Go Bowling

The Trojans, having learned they will finish the season ranked No. 16 in the CFP rankings, also discovered they will face the TCU Horned Frogs in the Alamo Bowl in San Antonio, Texas. This marks USC's first appearance in the prestigious bowl game. With a victory, the Trojans would secure their 10th win of the season and generate significant momentum for a program that has just landed the nation’s No. 1 recruiting class.

TCU concluded the season with an 8-4 record, highlighted by a commanding 45-23 victory over Cincinnati in their most recent game. The Horned Frogs are led by quarterback Josh Hoover, who has amassed over 3,400 passing yards and 29 touchdowns.

The game is scheduled to begin on December 30 at 6 p.m. PT (9 p.m. ET) and will be broadcast on ESPN.