Pac-12 May Finally Assist USC

Pac-12 football is booming – and that will only help USC’s CFP chances

Bill Hancock, the College Football Playoff’s executive director, said teams benefit in terms of CFP selection from ‘being in a conference with other good teams’

USC quarterback Caleb Williams, center, and the fifth-ranked Trojans hope to have a season worthy of a spot in the four-team College Football Playoff, and their Pac-12 schedule will only help them if they can survive run-ins with, from left, UCLA’s Dante Moore, Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders, Washington’s Michael Penix Jr. and Utah’s Cam Rising. (Photos by The Associated Press) Caleb Williams and the fifth-ranked Trojans hope to have a season worthy of a spot in the four-team College Football Playoff, and their Pac-12 schedule will only help them if they can survive run-ins with, from left, UCLA’s Dante Moore, Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders, Washington’s Michael Penix Jr. and Utah’s Cam Rising. (Photos by AP)

Luca Evans (OC Register —  Really, every week until the bye week was a bye week.

After three weeks of virtual tune-up games against overmatched San Jose State, Nevada and Stanford squads – to make nothing of Saturday’s upcoming road tilt against an Arizona State squad that was down to its QB4 last week – USC football will hit a gauntlet beginning bright and early in Boulder on Sept. 30.

A gauntlet, truly, because from the ashes of the Pac-12 has risen the conference’s most dynamic football product in a long while. Washington’s Michael Penix Jr. is perhaps the mightiest challenger to Caleb Williams’ bid for back-to-back Heisman Trophies; Oregon and Utah are reloaded, undefeated, and vying for a shot at the conference crown; and Colorado’s transfer-rich turnaround has become so scintillating in the “Coach Prime” era that Clippers star Kawhi Leonard, of all people, made an appearance at the Buffs’ game last weekend. Through four weeks, much of the national collegiate football zeitgeist has centered, improbably, out west: eight Pac-12 schools are ranked in AP’s current Top 25 poll, more than any other conference.

Now, from a 30,000-foot-view that requires absolutely no knowledge of USC’s season or football in general, that spells trouble for USC’s chances at a long-desired College Football Playoff appearance.

The CFP is shifting to a 12-team bracket in 2024. But as presently constructed, only four teams are selected. Thus, given that the Southeastern, Big Ten, Big 12 and Atlantic Coast conferences will all likely field worthy contenders come selection time (think Georgia, Michigan, Texas and more), the Trojans would need an emphatic run through the Pac-12 to merit strong consideration.

But the Pac-12’s strength – not the most top-heavy but the deepest conference in the FBS through the early part of this season – should give its eventual champion an inherent advantage. USC’s schedule through the rest of the season, in particular, boasts six teams currently ranked in the AP poll. The CFP committee doesn’t consider such arbitrary ranking systems in its final determinations, executive director Bill Hancock told the Southern California News Group – but a team that plays in a strong conference schedule will “be better off” than one who doesn’t, Hancock said.

“There is no doubt, starting with the committee – when they start meeting October 30th, that it will know who played a strong schedule,” Hancock said. “And a team benefits from being in a conference with other good teams. Absolutely.”

One of the most important factors in CFP selection, Hancock said, is “relative statistics” – the concept of measuring teams against one another by how well they performed against other team’s established results. Hancock’s explanation, in simpler terms:

“If you gained 400 yards against an opponent who only gives up 100 yards per game,” Hancock said, “that’s quite an accomplishment. But if you gained 400 yards against a team who’s been averaging giving up 350 yards per game, that’s really not much of an accomplishment.”

From that perspective, here’s a breakdown of the key points on USC’s schedule if the Trojans want to reach CFP glory:

Oct. 21, UtahWith quarterback Cameron Rising still recovering from injury, the reigning Pac-12 champion Utes’ offense has slogged a bit through three games to start the year, averaging just 25 points per game. Rising will be back, but this attack doesn’t look quite as dynamic as last year’s unit; if USC’s defense can’t keep them off the field, it will serve as a strike on their final-season resume.

Nov. 4, WashingtonAlex Grinch, stand up. Washington’s Penix Jr. will buoy massive passing-yardage numbers for the Huskies this year; this is a prove-it game more than any other for Domani Jackson, Ceyair Wright and the Trojans’ secondary to slow down Washington receivers Jalen McMillan, Ja’lynn Polk and Rome Odunze.

Nov. 18, UCLAFlip side of the coin here. UCLA’s defense has been stout through games against Coastal Carolina and San Diego State, and the Bruins’ unit should only get truly tested a few more times throughout the season. This game might serve as a chance for Caleb Williams and company to drop massive yardage in an end-of-the-regular-season statement.

ocregister.com

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Golden Trojan
Major Genius
September 21, 2023 10:38 pm
Reply to  Allen Wallace

Allen, great movie quotes today! Poor Luca, just doing the Corleone bidding. Jake Gittes had no idea what he was getting into.

Steveg
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Steveg
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September 22, 2023 8:10 am
Reply to  Allen Wallace

Ever notice that the games on the Pac12 network were not as long as the ones on ABC or espn? Fewer commercials.

Steveg
Major Genius
Steveg
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September 21, 2023 4:37 pm
Reply to  Allen Wallace

I just don’t feel it was the right thing, but it is done so we don’t have to hear about it anymore. imho

USC1988
Noble Genius
USC1988
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September 21, 2023 7:25 pm
Reply to  Allen Wallace

on his 32nd birthday too

ATL D.D.S.
Noble Genius
ATL D.D.S.
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September 21, 2023 10:28 am
Reply to  Allen Wallace

players in college deserve more privacy that if they were in the NFL. the little ink-stained wretch needs to know his place. Back off and apologize SCNG.

USC1988
Noble Genius
USC1988
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September 21, 2023 12:42 pm
Reply to  Allen Wallace

F that … toss his him

Steveg
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Steveg
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September 21, 2023 1:28 pm
Reply to  Allen Wallace

Riley ended it already. He has moved on, he has a game he has to travel for. Little Luca has learned a lesson. It will make him a better man and reporter, unless he goes Scott Wolf, then there nothing anybody can do for him. Dan Weber is a great guy, but this time I can’t agree with him.

PN4SC
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PN4SC
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September 20, 2023 6:17 pm
Reply to  Allen Wallace

Plashke is a mental, and moral midget. The LA Times is a parody of a newspaper, trying to appeal exclusively to the extreme woke left. Who cares what he, or any of their other buffoons(McCullough) think about this matter.

alfa1
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alfa1
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September 21, 2023 5:14 am
Reply to  PN4SC

It’s one thing to belittle a Coach, it’s entirely different when he chooses to denigrate the Athletic Director, which Plasche will ultimately regret, young Luca Evans as well.

USC1988
Noble Genius
USC1988
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September 21, 2023 12:43 pm
Reply to  alfa1

Risk your top draw and credentials for some dumb little twerp lol

Steveg
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Steveg
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September 21, 2023 8:13 am
Reply to  Allen Wallace

Didn’t everyone expect old Bill to react like this? He had to do it, he couldn’t stand there and just let the young reporter suffer from his mistakes. I doubt many people care what old Bill has to say about it. Riley did the right thing, and his program is a success because he holds to his standards.

Rock2112
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Rock2112
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September 21, 2023 11:11 am
Reply to  Allen Wallace

What???!!! “Culture of transparency and accountability?” BWAHAHAHAHA!!! Plaschke worships the Chipster, who is so secretive he doesn’t even tell his OWN QBs whether they will be playing until an hour before the game! Plaschke has always been an idiot, but he couldn’t possibly have said that with a straight face!

Rock2112
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Rock2112
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September 21, 2023 11:50 am
Reply to  Allen Wallace

Unlike CH, LR is a man in charge of his program. Trust me, he spent about 10 minutes on this issue, and is focused on all the other more important tasks at hand. Other people are wasting their time on it (like you and me!), but LR is focused on biz-ness.

Rock2112
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Rock2112
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September 21, 2023 12:01 pm
Reply to  Allen Wallace

This seems like too much belly-aching over nothing. I just can’t get my blood pressure pumped up over things that don’t relate to what’s going to happen on the field when we get into the meat of our schedule.

Steveg
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Steveg
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September 21, 2023 1:38 pm
Reply to  Rock2112

I am with you Rock, it needs to be put to rest, it is a distraction this team does not need. The rules are there to control the program, to protect the players, staff and media. Luca screwed up, irregardless of the quality of the article, and he will get through it and come out a better man who works according to the rules. Everyone needs to just let it rest, it’s over.

UtahTrojan
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UtahTrojan
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September 21, 2023 7:56 pm
Reply to  Allen Wallace

Hilarious to use the words culture of transparency and accountability when referring to reporters.

Rock2112
Noble Genius
Rock2112
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September 20, 2023 4:02 pm

Did anyone see the background behind Neon Deion during his interview with Good Morning America? It says, “If You Play Good, They Pay Good!” Ha! The dying NCAA must have put their defibrillator on the charger when they saw that!!! 🙂

Steveg
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Steveg
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September 20, 2023 3:32 pm

Have the Sanders found anything yet to make their upcoming game with Oregon personal? 😂😂

UtahTrojan
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UtahTrojan
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September 21, 2023 8:17 pm
Reply to  Steveg

I believe they did but didn’t care enough about the story to remember it. In an interview sanders already made it personal with USC saying his son doesn’t take a back seat to anyone. Apparently he doesn’t like that his son is not considered the front runner for the Heisman.

Rock2112
Noble Genius
Rock2112
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September 20, 2023 4:09 pm
Reply to  Allen Wallace

In my opinion, Allen, you’re jumping the gun here just a tad. Not because I disagree with you that the Domers may be improved enough to beat Ohio State — but just that we can’t tell that from their slate so far. THIS is the weekend we find out whether any of this kind of talk is warranted. In the words of the late Denny Green, “if you want to crown their a**, crown them.” But Saturday, the world finds out if there is anything real going on in South Bend at all, or if this is just another fool’s… Read more »

Rock2112
Noble Genius
Rock2112
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September 20, 2023 4:20 pm
Reply to  Allen Wallace

Ha, yeah! I am not impressed with this year’s Ohio State crew at all. I think Michigan will kill them again this year. But until I see something real from ND, they are a paper tiger in my head. Their recruiting in recent years warrants having a really good team this year, but they just always seem to do less with more. And the paint is still wet on whether Freeman is a good coach or another guy like CH that the players love that isn’t ready for #1 status. Should be an intriguing matchup for sure!

USC1988
Noble Genius
USC1988
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September 21, 2023 12:45 pm
Reply to  Allen Wallace

Beat ND … and it’s CW again

Chris
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Chris
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September 20, 2023 10:56 am

The Colorado train will slow down in the next few weeks but I have changed my opinion on its long term trajectory. If Deion stays in Boulder, they will be a top 10 program. He has more momentum than anyone, maybe ever. He is going to get a crazy recruiting class. The guy is a promoter like nobody else and has a really good staff. He gets it.

volunteerTrojan
Major Genius
September 20, 2023 7:50 am

So is this weekend’s game between WASt and ORSt the first ever Pac 2 Championship Game? Just asking for a friend…

Golden Trojan
Major Genius
September 20, 2023 8:26 am

And what will soon become the annual Pacific Mountain West Championship Game.

USC1988
Noble Genius
USC1988
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September 21, 2023 12:46 pm

SC should say no go in Pac 10 title game … Why play it

TrojanRon
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TrojanRon
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September 20, 2023 2:03 am

USC should handle ASU this coming Saturday as I understand the Sun Devils had to play their 4th string Quarterback last week. It’s a 3.5 hour drive for me to get to Tempe from Bullhead City, Arizona where I live now, so I’m going to pass on that game and focus on attending the homecoming game on November 4 against UW in the LA Coliseum. SC won’t get a test until meeting Colorado in Boulder on September 30. It’s amazing how much hype Coach Prime and the Buffs are getting these days. A sound victory by USC there would give… Read more »

RialtoTrojan
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RialtoTrojan
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September 19, 2023 9:25 pm
Reply to  Allen Wallace

Wolf is cackling like an old hen about this. Not only was he banned from the same beat, by Lane Kiffin, but Pat Hayden made Kiffin reinstate him. Luca is five times the reporter that Wolf is (Wolf is prone to quoting anonymous coaches and players), I hope two weeks pass quickly for him.

RialtoTrojan
Noble Genius
RialtoTrojan
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September 20, 2023 8:31 am
Reply to  Allen Wallace

Today the paper made a smelly rebuttal. Their take is that Riley has suspended their reporting option. This is simply not true. They have suspended the credentials of a beat writer on their property. Jim Alexander wrote a slant that claims USC is blocking first amendment rights and his retort is to say he’s suspending them from his writing. If I hadn’t read it I wouldn’t have believed it. A second article says that the school had backed Riley’s decision. Luca is free to write and publish anything he wants, he just cannot do it on campus at USC for… Read more »

Steveg
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Steveg
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September 20, 2023 2:15 pm
Reply to  Allen Wallace

In two weeks it will be ancient history, the kid will be back and everyone will be happy. Nobody cares what Alexander thinks anyway, so keep USC out of his column and reduce even further his readers. Intelligent move.

Golden Trojan
Major Genius
September 20, 2023 9:19 am
Reply to  Allen Wallace

I could see things quickly getting out of hand on campus without strict rules of engagement. Imagine a group of reporters and poparazzi following Caleb or Bronny all over campus taking pictures and peppering them with questions all day every day. It is pretty controlled by NFL and MLB teams. Follow the rules

ATL D.D.S.
Noble Genius
ATL D.D.S.
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September 20, 2023 1:25 pm
Reply to  Allen Wallace

the reporter looks like a little bitch….

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