USC Football News: Trojans Soar with Upset Over LSU, AP Poll Climb Expected

In a performance that could only be described as a show-stopper, the No. 23 USC Trojans made the most of their prime-time opportunity, defeating the No. 13 LSU Tigers in the Modelo Vegas Kickoff Classic. With the entire college football world watching, this victory wasn't just a win; it was a declaration.

As the only college football game on September 1st, the Trojans' victory over LSU commanded the attention of millions. The ESPN broadcast peaked at a staggering 11.1 million viewers, giving USC coach Lincoln Riley and his squad a massive platform to make their case for a higher ranking in the AP Poll.

"I think it’s an exciting game when you get a stage like that, which is rare in college football," Riley remarked after the win . "You got one day, there’s no NFL games. There’s not much else going on, right? This was kind of our day here on one of the biggest stages."

And what a stage it was. With their upset win over LSU, USC fans are now eagerly awaiting the second AP Poll of the season, set to be released at 11 a.m. PDT. The Trojans, currently sitting at No. 23, are expected to move up significantly—potentially landing at No. 16.

A Closer Look at the Path Forward for USC

Several teams ranked above USC stumbled in Week 1, opening the door for the Trojans to climb. No. 10 Florida State suffered a surprising loss to Boston College, No. 14 Clemson was thoroughly dismantled by No. 3 Georgia, and No. 20 Texas A&M fell to No. 7 Notre Dame. While jumping another five spots to break into the top 15 might be a tall order, the Trojans' victory over a ranked LSU team certainly strengthens their case.

USC isn’t just looking for a one-time bump, though. If this win over LSU is the start of a winning streak, Riley and his team could find themselves steadily climbing the rankings week by week. With both USC and Georgia securing neutral-site victories and Notre Dame winning on the road, the Trojans’ résumé is starting to look pretty solid.

Entering the 2024 season ranked No. 23, there were some understandable doubts about USC. Replacing a Heisman Trophy winner and No. 1 overall pick like Caleb Williams is no small feat. And then there’s the defense—under the direction of newly hired defensive coordinator D'Anton Lynn, many wondered how the Trojans would perform.

But in their debut against LSU, the Trojans’ defense held strong, allowing just 20 points and making crucial stops on third and fourth downs. On the offensive side, quarterback Miller Moss picked up right where he left off after his impressive showing in the 2023 Holiday Bowl. Completing 75 percent of his passes for 378 yards, Moss looks poised to lead USC on a path to success this season.

If this game was any indication, the Trojans are more than ready to prove the skeptics wrong. With their eyes set on rising through the rankings, USC’s journey this season is just beginning.