USC Must Win Out to Keep CFP Hopes

USC football enters its second bye week 5-2 with five games remaining and must essentially win out to keep College Football Playoff hopes alive after a loss to Notre Dame. Injuries to starters Waymond Jordan and Eli Sanders have thrust walk-on King Miller into the lead-back role; Miller has produced long touchdown runs and other key relief performances, earning praise from coach Lincoln Riley. Quarterback Jayden Maiava and USC’s high-powered offense will be tested on the road at Nebraska in a primetime “Blackout” at Memorial Stadium on Nov. 1, where Nebraska’s struggling offensive line — which allowed nine sacks against Minnesota — gives USC’s improved defensive front an opportunity to set the tone. Analysts warn another loss would likely eliminate USC from the CFP hunt and could have recruiting and staff-implications despite USC’s top-ranked 2026 class. Separately, USC men’s basketball is aiming to improve in Eric Musselman’s second season, bolstered by a highly ranked transfer class that includes Chad Baker-Mazara and Amarion Dickerson.