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The USC Trojans didn't play this week, as their season ended a week ago with their 50-0 shutout of the UCLA Bruins. But thanks to a slew of losses by highly ranked teams, USC will likely end up rising a few spots in the Associated Press poll on Sunday morning. The Trojans had their highest ranking of the year in last week's poll, tied for ninth with the Boise St. Broncos.
There were two losses on Saturday by teams ahead of USC. The No. 5 Virginia Tech lost 38-10 to No. 21 Clemson in the ACC Championship Game, and the No. 7 Houston lost 49-28 to No. 24 Southern Miss in the Conference USA Championship Game.
Looking at last week's AP poll, the bottom five of the top 10 were very tightly bunched:
| Associated Press Poll, November 26 |
||||
| Rank | Team | Record | Points | This Week |
| 6 | Arkansas | 10-2 | 1,060 | Did not play |
| 7 | Houston | 12-1 | 1,055 | Lost 49-28 |
| 8 | Oregon | 11-2 | 1,054 | Beat UCLA 49-31 |
| 9 | USC | 10-2 | 1,053 | Did not play |
| 9 | Boise State | 11-1 | 1,053 | Beat New Mexico 45-0 |
The Trojans will certainly rise in Sunday's AP poll. They could be as high as No. 6 in the final regular season poll, if they manage to jump Arkansas and pull ahead of Boise State. Or, they could be as low as No. 8, as Virginia Tech and Houston drop below them.
For more news and information on USC football, be sure to read Conquest Chronicles.