is bad. It has escaped with close wins over unranked, not-quite-powerhouses such as Western Michigan, California and Utah.
USC is great. The Trojans have won six of seven games and are positioned well for the College Football Playoff so long as they keep winning.
USC is underperforming. The Trojans have taken a lead into the fourth quarter only three times in seven games.
USC is underrated. Its strength of schedule is 10th in the country according to Jeff Sagarin’s ratings. That’s the best of any one-loss or undefeated team.
Heading into USC’s game on Saturday against Notre Dame, USC has become college football’s Rorschach Test.