USC’s New College Football Playoff Odds Revealed originally appeared on Athlon Sports.

USC is fueling renewed hype and optimism for 2025. Thanks to its stacked 2026 recruiting class. But did that spark higher College Football Playoff odds for the Trojans? 

Carter Bahns of CBS Sports revealed the list of wild card CFP teams ahead of the upcoming season. Bahns rolled out seven different teams capable of making a run. 

SMU and Indiana landed on his list — representing two 2024 postseason teams to be mentioned as contenders. Both rose as major surprises during the collegiate season. 

But did USC make the seven-team cut? Not only did the Trojans earn their mention, Bahns revealed what USC’s odds are. 

Bahns has USC earning a +570 chance of rising as one of the 12 teams making it into the 2025 postseason field. Here’s why he took a liking into USC’s chances. 

“USC won six games in its first regular season in the Big Ten. Believe it or not, that .500 team was only a few plays away from playoff contention,” Bahns began. 

Then came this burning question from the CBS Sports analyst. 

“What if the Trojans reverse their one-score game fortunes and go 5-1 in those spots this year instead of the 1-5 they went in 2024?” he asked. “It is obviously not that simple, but the slim margins show just how much variance exists in this team’s potential for Year 2 in the Big Ten. 

Bahns includes that USC won’t deal with annual Big Ten heavyweights Ohio State or Penn State this season on the regular season schedule. Which benefits the Trojans. However, he knows a third straight letdown campaign will put an end to the Lincoln Riley era. 

Related: USC Commit Teases Teaming With 4-Star in Major High School Transfer

This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 28, 2025, where it first appeared.