USC Fans Disappointed by Latest College Football Playoff Prediction

The USC Trojans are heading into a crucial season, hoping to finally break through to their first College Football Playoff. But Chris Low of On3 doesn’t have them in his preseason playoff predictions, and honestly, it’s not hard to see why.

The Trojans have a brutal schedule lined up, facing some of the best teams in the country. Low’s 12-team playoff field leaves USC out, despite their rich history and the hype around Lincoln Riley’s leadership.

So what’s working against them this time? Let’s dig into the matchups and what it all means for the program—and the fans who are getting restless.

USC’s Daunting Schedule

One big reason for the skepticism is USC’s regular season slate. It’s rough, no way around it.

They’re up against three teams that Low predicts will make the playoff: Ohio State, Oregon, and Indiana. Two of those—Ohio State and Oregon—they’ll get at home, but the Indiana game is on the road against the defending champs.

And that’s not all. There’s a tough trip to Penn State, too. The Nittany Lions have a new coach, Matt Campbell, and they’re looking to bounce back after a rough year.

Key Matchups

USC’s playoff hopes? They pretty much live or die by these games:

• Ohio State: Hosting the Buckeyes is always a big deal. They’re a title contender every year, and this one won’t be any different.
• Oregon: Another home test. The Ducks have been a thorn in USC’s side lately, and nobody’s expecting that to change.
• Indiana: Going on the road to face the champs—yeah, that’s a tall order. Not many teams come away happy from Bloomington.
• Penn State: Sure, the Nittany Lions slipped last season, but with Campbell at the helm, who knows? This could be a tricky one.

USC’s Recent Performance

Last year, USC finished 9-3. All three losses came away from home, including a critical one at Oregon that pretty much killed their playoff shot.

Lincoln Riley’s been solid, but not spectacular—35-18 over four seasons. For a place like USC, that’s not quite enough.

Previous Season’s Struggles

Losses to Illinois, Notre Dame, and Oregon last year really stung. High-stakes games haven’t been kind to the Trojans lately.

Odds and Expert Predictions

DraftKings Sportsbook has USC at +240 to make the playoff and -330 to miss it. Not exactly a vote of confidence.

Low’s playoff picks only add to the doubt. He left USC out and put in three Big Ten teams instead: Ohio State, Oregon, and Indiana.

Big Ten Dominance

Low’s predictions point to more Big Ten dominance. He’s got three of their teams making the playoff and Ohio State winning it all over Georgia.

If that happens, it’d be four straight national titles for the Big Ten. That’s some serious bragging rights.

Fanbase Expectations and Reactions

USC’s fanbase? They’re used to greatness—national titles, conference crowns, the whole deal. But since 2009, it’s been mostly frustration: just one conference title, no playoff berths, and a lot of what-ifs.

Lincoln Riley was supposed to change all that, but so far, the wait continues. The pressure’s building, and everyone knows it.

Potential Fan Reactions

If USC misses the playoff again, fans probably won’t be quiet about it. Disappointment, frustration—maybe even some anger. It’s a tough crowd, and patience is running thin.

Conclusion

USC’s journey this season isn’t going to be easy. They’re staring down a schedule packed with tough opponents and, honestly, some pretty high expectations.

The Trojans know they’ve got a lot to prove. Odds and experts? Not exactly on their side right now.

But hey, that’s what the games are for, right? Lincoln Riley and his team will get their shot to quiet the doubters.

If you’re hungry for more details or just want to stay in the loop, check out the full article on Yahoo Sports.