USC will fully expect to be part of the expanded 12-team College Football Playoff in 2024 and 2025. The Trojans will be a member of the Big Ten Conference, which means they will have to battle Michigan and Ohio State, but with the expanded playoff field, they don’t have to finish first in the Big Ten to get a spot. Finishing second — higher than one of the two — will likely give USC a playoff berth in the 12-team configuration.
Schedule dates have been released for both the 2024 and 2025 editions of the playoff. Here is the specific schedule for the 2025 playoff, which will flow into the first few weeks of January 2026. Mark your calendars.