Potential College Football Playoff format change could benefit USC

Posted by author February 22, 2025 Sports

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USC could prosper in Big Ten as a result of College Football Playoff realities

We are now 11 seasons into the College Football Playoff era, and USC football has yet to qualify for the playoff even once. By all accounts, that is a major failure on the part of the Trojans.

According to a new report, however, a change could potentially be coming to the playoff format as soon as 2026. While the change would hardly guarantee the Trojans a playoff spot, it would likely make their path to the CFP in most seasons easier.

Per a story from Ross Dellenger of Yahoo Sports, under the new format, the playoff would expand to either 14 or 16 teams, with the Big Ten and SEC each getting four guaranteed spots. This means that if USC were to finish in the top four of the Big Ten standings in any given season, the Trojans would be guaranteed a playoff bid.

Of course, that is far easier said than done. In 2024, the Trojans finished in a three-way tie for ninth in the conference, a full three games back in the standings of fourth place Ohio State. But it would at least make their path to the postseason more clear, rather than having to measure their resume up against that of schools in other conferences.

Of course, a far bigger concern for USC should be improving their level of play on the field. Over the past two seasons, the Trojans have a record of just 14-11. If they continue to lose games, the playoff format will not matter, as they will not be anywhere near good enough to get in.