USC makes huge leap in latest top 25 polls after big win over LSU

After a wild Week 1 of the 2024 college football season, the latest AP and Coaches polls were released on Tuesday , and the team that made the biggest jump from the preseason rankings is USC. The Trojans jumped from No. 23 in both polls last week to No. 13 in the AP Top 25 and No. 14 in the AFCA Coaches Poll.

USC is coming off an impressive 27-20 victory over No. 13 LSU this past Sunday. As a result of their loss to the Trojans, the Tigers dropped to No. 18 in this week's AP Poll and from No. 12 to No. 19 in the AFCA Coaches Poll.

With this being USC's first year as a member of the Big Ten, the Trojans made a major statement to the other members of the conference with the big Week 1 win. They still have 11 games to play on their schedule, so plenty of things can change, but the Trojans certainly looked like a team that could challenge for the top of the Big Ten this season during their victory over LSU.

Up next for USC is its home opener against Utah State, who also won its first game of the 2024 season last week when it got a convincing 36-14 victory over Robert Morris. As of Monday, ESPN BET lists the Trojans as a 28.5-point favorite .

Following the showdown against the Aggies, USC will head out on the road for its first Big Ten contest of the season against No. 10 Michigan. Less than a year removed from winning the College Football Playoff National Championship, Michigan is likely going to be a difficult matchup for the Trojans, especially since the game will take place inside the Wolverines' home stadium.

If USC can come out of its Big Ten clash against Michigan in Week 3 with a win and begin the 2024 campaign with a 3-0 record, then the Trojans are probably going to be viewed as one of the early contenders to win this season's national championship.

At the very least, a 3-0 start to the year would make it very clear that USC is going to have a good chance to leave the field with a win in every game the school plays this season.