Commentary: USC is No. 4 in CFP rankings. Would idle Ohio State slide into playoff if the Trojans lose to Utah?
LA TimesUSC coach Lincoln Riley talks with his players on the sideline during the fourth quarter against Notre Dame on Saturday at the Coliseum. A theoretical choice of the 11-1 Buckeyes over 11-2 USC would be punishing the Trojans for having earned a spot in their conference championship game while Ohio State sat at home, licking its wounds. Ironically, with USC headed to the Big Ten in 2024, one of the Trojans’ best arguments against Ohio State would be the strength of the Pac-12 this year compared to the Big Ten. Ohio State beat Utah in Pasadena last year, while Penn State hasn’t been to the Rose Bowl since its epic loss to USC on Jan. 1, 2017. If Utah wins the Pac-12, the Utes would head back to the Rose Bowl and USC likely would be sent to another New Year’s Six bowl game.