ESPN Projects USC Trojans for Bowl Games

Analysts currently omit the Trojans from the 12-team College Football Playoff bracket.

Updated on Oct. 19, 2026 in Football

ESPN Projects USC Trojans for Bowl Games

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ESPN analysts Kyle Bonagura and Mark Schlabach have excluded the No. 16 USC Trojans from their latest 12-team College Football Playoff projections. The team currently holds a 6-1 record following a loss to the Oregon Ducks.

Why it matters

Analysts removed the Trojans from the playoff bracket due to their overall performance and recent loss compared to other highly ranked programs. USC faces a difficult path ahead, with three of their remaining five opponents currently ranked in the top ten.

The No. 16 USC Trojans hold a 6-1 record, while other notable programs like No. 3 Ohio State, No. 6 Indiana, and No. 9 UCLA occupy higher spots in the rankings. Pittsburgh has also stumbled, losing two consecutive conference games after a 5-0 start.

The players

Kyle Bonagura

He is a college football analyst for ESPN who provides regular bowl game projections.

Mark Schlabach

He is an ESPN senior writer and college football analyst known for his post-season team predictions.

The details

Mark Schlabach projects USC to face the 6-1 Wake Forest Demon Deacons in the Holiday Bowl, while Kyle Bonagura eyes a matchup against the Oklahoma Sooners in the Las Vegas Bowl. The Trojans are also expected to play a future road game against Wisconsin in Madison.

Dec. 28, 2026, is the scheduled date for the Holiday Bowl game.
Dec. 31, 2026, is the scheduled date for the Las Vegas Bowl game.

Season Trajectory

The expansion to the 12-team College Football Playoff bracket has fundamentally altered how analysts rank programs throughout the season. These projections signal that USC must overcome a difficult late-season schedule to improve its standing in the eyes of the committee.

USC must navigate a remaining schedule featuring three top-ten opponents to force a re-evaluation of their playoff status. The team's bowl destination remains tied to their performance in these upcoming high-stakes matchups.

The takeaway

While currently projected for the Holiday or Las Vegas bowls, the Trojans still control their postseason fate by winning their remaining games. Focus on how the team performs against top-ten ranked opponents to track their actual movement toward the playoff bracket.