This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2014, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
USC is not among the four Pac-12 South teams listed in the College Football Playoff rankings, but the Trojans are not out of the division race. The Trojans (5-2 in conference play) can join in a tie at the top if they get some help from somebody against Arizona State. Meanwhile, USC needs to beat California on Thursday night in Los Angeles just to keep that possibility intact, going into next week's game vs. UCLA. Cal's quest is to attain bowl eligibility, standing 5-4 overall. So this is a meaningful game for fans of both Utah and BYU. The Utes are competing with USC in the Pac-12's bowl selection order, and the Cougars know they'll face Cal in the final game of the regular-season. Cal may be seeking its sixth win at that point, after facing Stanford next week. Thursday's game (7 p.m. MST, ESPN) will offer another gauge of Cal's improvement. Beating the Trojans in the Coliseum would be a huge step in coach Sonny Dykes' second season, but that's asking a lot. USC looked good in its last contest, a 44-17 win at Washington State, and should take care of the Bears. USC 38, California 24. – Kurt Kragthorpe