USC Football Doesn't Have Many Options Left On The Schedule

The (6-1) Trojans are undefeated on the road so far, and that's where they'll be Saturday when they take on the (4-2) Wisconsin Badgers. While this weekend's game is certainly winnable for USC, the Trojans can't afford to overlook the importance of getting out of Madison with a victory. They've already slipped up once at home this season, and with the schedule getting tougher, there's very little room left for another mistake.

It's not necessarily that USC can't afford another loss. It's that the Trojans still have Ohio State, Indiana, and the Crosstown Showdown against a surprisingly undefeated UCLA Bruins team waiting for them. That's a brutal stretch of football, and it leaves USC with very few options if it wants to make the College Football Playoff.

Finishing 10-2, regardless of which two games end up in the loss column, would put the Trojans in an excellent position to earn their first-ever playoff berth. Drop a third game, however, and things get considerably more complicated. At 9-3, USC would likely need some serious politicking, a favorable collection of results elsewhere, and a convincing argument that it belongs among the nation's best teams.

Not many people believe USC can beat both Ohio State and Indiana, and now that UCLA has emerged as a legitimate contender, even the Crosstown Showdown has become a potentially dangerous proposition. Rivalry games are unpredictable under the best circumstances. Throw a possible playoff berth into the equation for both teams, and all bets are off.

Here's the other problem: UCLA appears to have a much easier path to the finish line. That puts even more pressure on USC to take care of business now, starting with Wisconsin. The Trojans can't afford to start counting on wins against teams they haven't played yet, nor can they assume they'll get a pass if they stumble again.

USC still controls much of its own destiny, but the margin for error is shrinking. The Trojans have five regular-season games left, and the opportunities to strengthen their playoff résumé are running out. If they want to make the postseason, Saturday isn't just another road game. It's one they need to win.

USC's playoff math isn't complicated, but the margin for error is getting smaller. At 6-1, the Trojans have five regular-season games remaining, including Wisconsin, Ohio State, Indiana, and UCLA. A 10-2 finish would put them in a strong position to earn an at-large playoff berth, while an 11-1 finish would make their case even stronger.

A 9-3 record, however, would leave USC sweating on Selection Sunday. The Trojans would need the right combination of quality wins, favorable results elsewhere, and a résumé that stacks up against other playoff contenders. There are no guarantees, especially with seven at-large spots available to teams across the country.

That's why Wisconsin matters.

USC doesn't necessarily have to beat Ohio State and Indiana to reach the playoff, however, losing to Wisconsin would put even more pressure on the Trojans to win at least one of those marquee matchups and survive the Crosstown Showdown. With UCLA also fighting for a potential playoff spot, USC can't afford to give away a game it should win.