If it was not already clear, the national expectations for USC football are not super high entering the 2025 college football season. Last week, the Trojans were not ranked in the preseason coaches poll for the first time since 2019. On Monday, the preseason AP Poll dropped, and once again USC did not make the top 25.
USC did receive 64 votes in the poll. That was the fifth-most among teams not ranked in the top 25. Ironically, just in front of them with 90 votes received was Louisville, who will be led by former USC quarterback Miller Moss this fall.
While the Trojans themselves, did not make the rankings, four of USC’s 2025 opponents did. That group consists of No. 6 Notre Dame, No. 7 Oregon, No. 12 Illinois, and No. 14 Michigan. A three-game stretch in late September/early October vs. the Illini, Wolverines, and Fighting Irish could very well determine the outcome of the Trojans’ season.
USC is somewhat fortunate, however, in that they will avoid facing the two highest-ranked Big Ten teams in the preseason AP Poll: No. 2 Penn State and No. 3 Ohio State. In addition, the Trojans will not play No. 20 Indiana in 2025.
Of course, preseason polls—while fun and all—do not mean much of anything at the end of the day. If USC can win on the field this fall, the Trojans will quickly see themselves rise up the rankings.
This article originally appeared on Trojans Wire: USC falls outside top 25 of college football preseason AP Poll
Reporting by Adam Bradford, Trojans Wire / Trojans Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
