Why USC Trojans' ESPN FPI Ranking Remains High After Bye Week

Amidst all the chaos, the USC Trojans didn't play, as they were on their first of two bye weeks of the season. Despite not playing, USC remains high in the latest ESPN FPI Top 25 rankings after the week 6 action. USC checks into this week's rankings at No. 10 in the ESPN FPI, as the Trojans are still getting a lot of love despite their 34-32 loss to the No. 22 Illinois Fighting Illini on Sept. 27.

Through five games this season, USC has a 4-1 record. Coming off the bye week, USC will have the opportunity to rebound from the heartbreaking loss to Illinois and improve its standing in the ESPN FPI rankings, as it faces off against the No. 20 Michigan Wolverines in front of a sold-out Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.

Michigan is two spots behind USC in the rankings, checking in at No. 12 after their 24-10 win over the Wisconsin Badgers on Saturday.

USC's explosiveness on offense, led by starting quarterback Jayden Maiava and a talented duo of wide receivers in Makai Lemon and Ja'Kobi Lane, is one of the factors contributing to the Trojans' high ranking in the ESPN FPI rankings.

Big Ten Teams in ESPN FPI Top 25

Three undefeated Big Ten teams rank ahead of USC in the rankings, including Ohio State (No. 1), Oregon (No. 2), and Indiana (No. 4). Oregon and Indiana will face off on Saturday at Autzen Stadium, in a game with Big Ten Championship and College Football Playoff implications on the line.

Big Ten teams that are below USC in the ESPN FPI Top 25 include Penn State, which fell eight spots to No. 19 after its loss to UCLA on Saturday. Nebraska also checks in at No. 22 after its 38-27 win at home over Michigan State on Saturday.

Despite giving USC, their only loss of the season, and being ranked in the AP Top 25, unlike the Trojans, Illinois ranks No. 28 in the ESPN FPI. The blowout 63-10 loss to the Indiana Hoosiers that they suffered on Sept. 20 is a significant factor for their low ranking.

Riley's USC Trojans to Face Major Test Against Michigan

USC's matchup against the Michigan Wolverines is a crucial game for their season and for coach Lincoln Riley. Despite a 4-1 start to the season, there is extreme pressure on Riley to win a game against a ranked opponent after falling short against Illinois.

The next three games, which also include matchups against No. 21 Notre Dame (Oct. 18) and Nebraska (Nov. 1), will define USC's season and Riley's job security as the Trojans' head coach. Beating a ranked opponent in Michigan on Saturday and improving to 5-1 on the season would be a step in the right direction for Riley and the Trojans.