College Football Playoff Ranking Projections: Top 25 for Week 10

USC came out and rebounded after its loss at Notre Dame, taking a 31-3 lead into halftime on the road at Arizona State. Tempe has been a trap for many teams this year, but the Trojans dominated the Sun Devils and look ready to move to 7-2 on the year.

Sam Darnold threw for 217 yards and three touchdowns in the first two quarters, while running back Ronald Jones II racked up 120 yards and a score on the ground. It was a masterful performance by Clay Helton‘s team, as they jumped out to a huge lead and remain on pace in the Pac-12 South race.

As long as they stay ahead in the second half, USC will jump up somewhere in the teens of the first College Football Playoff rankings. After the past few years, when teams like Ohio State and Oklahoma have jumped up from the teens into a Playoff spot, the initial rankings of the year could be a blessing in disguise for the Trojans.