The misery of USC football this season is enhanced by the fact that other Big Ten football teams are doing so well. Three Big Ten teams are ranked in the top four of the US LBM Coaches Poll, presented by USA TODAY Sports.
Oregon is No. 1, Penn State is No. 3, and Ohio State is No. 4 in the latest poll. Ohio State and Penn State meet on Nov. 2 in a game with obvious Big Ten championship and College Football Playoff implications. Oregon and the Ohio State-Penn State winner are likely playoff teams. If Ohio State beats Penn State, there’s a chance all three teams could represent the Big Ten in the playoff. If Penn State beats Ohio State, the Nittany Lions will be very secure as a playoff team, while Ohio State would be on the ropes in the battle for a playoff spot.
We can’t ignore Indiana in the Big Ten football landscape. The Hoosiers are 8-0 under first-year head coach Curt Cignetti. The Hoosiers are a real threat to give the Big Ten an additional playoff team, which is a truly remarkable story.
All of this is happening while USC is 4-4 and stuck in mediocrity.
Here is the full US LBM Coaches Poll at the end of October:
| Rank | Team | Record | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Oregon Ducks | 8-0 | 1,349 (53) |
| 2 | Georgia Bulldogs | 6-1 | 1,270 (1) |
| 3 | Penn State Nittany Lions | 7-0 | 1,239 |
| 4 | Ohio State Buckeyes | 6-1 | 1,160 |
| 5 | Miami Hurricanes | 7-1 | 1,136 |
| 6 | Texas Longhorns | 7-1 | 1,096 |
| 7 | Tennessee Volunteers | 6-1 | 987 |
| 8 | Clemson Tigers | 6-1 | 942 |
| 9 | Notre Dame Fighting Irish | 7-1 | 853 |
| 10 | Iowa State Cyclones | 7-0 | 846 |
| 11 | Texas A&M Aggies | 7-1 | 806 |
| 12 | BYU Cougars | 8-0 | 786 |
| 13 | Indiana Hoosiers | 8-0 | 741 |
| 14 | Alabama Crimson Tide | 6-2 | 619 |
| 15 | Kansas State Wildcats | 7-1 | 533 |
| 16 | LSU Tigers | 6-2 | 530 |
| 17 | Pittsburgh Panthers | 7-0 | 495 |
| 18 | Ole Miss Rebels | 6-2 | 475 |
| 19 | Boise State Broncos | 6-1 | 459 |
| 20 | SMU Mustangs | 7-1 | 346 |
| 21 | Army Black Knights | 7-0 | 278 |
| 22 | Washington State Cougars | 7-1 | 160 |
| 23 | Missouri Tigers | 6-2 | 114 |
| 24 | Illinois Fighting Illini | 6-2 | 89 |
| 25 | Memphis Tigers | 7-1 | 76 |