College Football Rankings 2020: Projected AP Top 25 for Week 9

USC is slowly creeping back up the AP Top 25 after returning to the poll two weeks ago. Even though they are still two weeks removed from the start of the Pac-12 season, the Trojans could move up another spot or two heading into Week 9. Clay Helton’s team has benefitted from chaos among teams already playing to secure its spot in the low 20s of the poll this week.

Among all FBS teams, the Trojans rank fifth in terms of returning production. One of the nation’s top passing attacks from 2019 brings back Kedon Slovis at quarterback, and other than Michael Pittman gets back all of receiving threats from last season. Stronger productivity from the ground game will be critical. The defense could be even better than the offense, with 87 percent of last season’s production coming back on that side of the ball.

In a year that presents a golden opportunity for Helton to restore his good name in Los Angeles, an experienced roster cannot slip up in just a half-dozen opportunities to impress voters. They have the benefit of the doubt for now, and will look to consolidate their AP Top 25 position when they open the year on November 7 at home against Arizona State.