This weekend marked USC’s second off week of the 2026 season. While the Trojans sat at home, however, the rest of the country was in action as part of a loaded college football slate.
On Sunday, the latest AP Poll was released. Despite not playing a game, the Trojans moved up three spots, coming at No. 15 in the rankings.
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USC is one of six Big Ten teams in the top 25. Joining the Trojans are No. 4 UCLA, No. 6 Indiana, No. 16 Iowa, No. 18 Oregon, and No. 21 Ohio State.
USC will face both of the league’s top two teams in the final three weeks of the regular season. The Trojans will visit Indiana this coming Saturday and face UCLA at the Rose Bowl on November 28. If USC can somehow win both of those games, the Trojans will almost certainly finish the regular season as a top ten team.
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Photos from USC’s 30-18 upset of Ohio State
Oct 31, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Helmets at the line of scrimmage as Ohio State Buckeyes offensive lineman Gabe Vansickle (58) snaps the ball against the Southern California Trojans in the first half at United Airlines Field at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
(Kirby Lee, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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Photos from USC’s 30-18 upset of Ohio State
Oct 31, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Helmets at the line of scrimmage as Ohio State Buckeyes offensive lineman Gabe Vansickle (58) snaps the ball against the Southern California Trojans in the first half at United Airlines Field at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
(Kirby Lee, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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Photos from USC’s 30-18 upset of Ohio State
Oct 31, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Southern California Trojans head coach Lincoln Riley watches game action against the Ohio State Buckeyes during the first half at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
(Gary A. Vasquez, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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Photos from USC’s 30-18 upset of Ohio State
Ohio State Buckeyes head coach Ryan Day reacts during the NCAA football game against the USC Trojans at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Oct. 31, 2026.
(Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)
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Photos from USC’s 30-18 upset of Ohio State
USC Trojans quarterback Jayden Maiava (14) passes during the NCAA football game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Oct. 31, 2026.
(Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)
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Photos from USC’s 30-18 upset of Ohio State
Oct 31, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback Luke Fahey (13) moves out to pass against the Southern California Trojans during the first half at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
(Gary A. Vasquez, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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Photos from USC’s 30-18 upset of Ohio State
Oct 31, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Southern California Trojans running back King Miller (8) carries the ball against the Ohio State Buckeyes in the first half at United Airlines Field at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
(Kirby Lee, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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Photos from USC’s 30-18 upset of Ohio State
USC Trojans tight end Mark Bowman (19) leaps over Ohio State Buckeyes safety Jaylen McClain (8) during the NCAA football game at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Oct. 31, 2026. Ohio State lost 30-18.
(Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)
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Photos from USC’s 30-18 upset of Ohio State
Oct 31, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Southern California Trojans defensive tackle Alex Vansumeren (91) celebrates after sacking Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback Luke Fahey (13) in the second half at United Airlines Field at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
(Kirby Lee, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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Photos from USC’s 30-18 upset of Ohio State
The torch is lit after the third quarter during the NCAA football game between Ohio State Buckeyes and USC Trojans at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Oct. 31, 2026. Ohio State lost 30-18.
(Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)
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Photos from USC’s 30-18 upset of Ohio State
USC Trojans fans celebrate during the NCAA football game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Oct. 31, 2026. Ohio State lost 30-18.
(Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)
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Photos from USC’s 30-18 upset of Ohio State
Ohio State athletic director Ross Bjork yells at USC Trojans head coach Lincoln Riley following the NCAA football game at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Oct. 31, 2026. Ohio State lost 30-18.
(Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)
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Photos from USC’s 30-18 upset of Ohio State
USC Trojans offensive lineman Elijah Vaikona (79) leaves as fans storms the field the following the NCAA football game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Oct. 31, 2026. Ohio State lost 30-18.
(Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)
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Photos from USC’s 30-18 upset of Ohio State
Oct 31, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Southern California Trojans fans storm the field after the game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at United Airlines Field at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
(Kirby Lee, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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