Gallery: 3/11
No. 9 USC Trojans
Record: 8-3
Current CFB Playoff Ranking: 11th
Key Wins: Colorado, at Washington, Notre Dame
What the Committee Will Like: No team is likely to benefit more from Colorado's blowout loss than USC. If the Trojans are ranked above the Buffaloes in the final rankings, USC can make the Rose Bowl. It would be a Christmas miracle given the way USC started the season. Some argue that the way USC is playing they belong in the discussion for the College Football Playoff. Their three early losses have kept them out of the discussion.
Areas of Concern: Proponents of USC as a top-four team forget that the first month of the season matters. It would be a disservice to teams that have been consistent all season long to award a College Football Playoff position to a team that essentially took a month off. Is USC one of the hottest teams in the country? Yes, but that does not mean they belong in the playoff. (Getty)