USC has a real chance to make the CFP in year 1 with Lincoln Riley at the helm, a place where the Pac-12 has not been since Washington made it in 2016-17.

With the Trojans leaving the league ahead of the 2024 season, should fans of the 10 remaining teams be cheering for them in that quest?

On today’s episode of Locked On Pac-12, I answer that most fascinating question/conundrum for fans of teams not named USC and UCLA.

There would be benefits and drawbacks to the conference’s reputation if the Trojans were to end the year amidst the top 4 teams in the CFP.

Caleb Williams has been the catalyst for USC’s offense this year and is one of the biggest reasons (Lincoln Riley the other) why USC has gone from 4-8 to 10-1 in just one offseason.

The Trojans are doing their best to support his Heisman candidacy, and he belongs squarely in the mix to win CFB’s most prestigious award this year.

• Built Bar is a protein bar that tastes like a candy bar. Go to builtbar.com and use promo code “LOCKED15,” and you’ll get 15% off your next order

• BetOnline.net has you covered this season with more props, odds, and lines than ever before. BetOnline – Where The Game Starts!

• Rock Auto has an amazing selection. Reliably low prices. All the parts your car will ever need. Visit RockAuto.com and tell them Locked On sent you.

---

—More from Spencer McLaughlin—

• McLaughlin: How will Deion Sanders Work the Portal at CU?

---

• McLaughlin: What Beating Trojans Twice Means for Utes

---

• McLaughlin: Will ‘Coach Prime’ Find Success at Colorado?

---

• McLaughlin: The Fit between New OC Will Stein and Oregon

---

• McLaughlin: Deion Sanders Brings Excitement to Pac-12

---

• McLaughlin: What does USC Need to Do to Beat Utah?

---

• McLaughlin: What Do Utes Need to Do to Repeat as Champs?

---

• McLaughlin: Is Kenny Dillingham the Right Hire for ASU?

---

• McLaughlin: Pac-12 Football at Its Best in Nearly a Decade

---

• McLaughlin: How the Ducks Fell Apart against Oregon State

---

• McLaughlin: Rivalry Week Delivered Season-Altering Thrills

---

• McLaughlin: Ducks Collapsed but Sky Not Falling in Eugene

---

• McLaughlin: Biggest Questions in Every Game on Saturday

---

• McLaughlin: Friday Night in Pac-12 the Best Part of CFB

---

• McLaughlin: The Challenge OSU Football Presents to Oregon

---

• McLaughlin: Examining USC Football’s Path to the Playoff

---

• McLaughlin: Big Week in Pac-12 Football Doesn’t Disappoint

---

• McLaughlin: Bo Nix Shines in Oregon’s Gritty Win over Utah

---

• McLaughlin: Biggest Question for Pac-12 Teams in Week 12

---

• McLaughlin: Pac-12 Still Disrespected in CFP Rankings

---

• McLaughlin and Analyst Yogi Roth on State of Pac-12

---

• McLaughlin: Oregon Still Pac-12 Championship-Caliber Team

---

• McLaughlin: Good News and Bad News for Pac-12 Football

---

• McLaughlin: Washington, Arizona Upsets Stir Pac-12 Race

---

• McLaughlin: Oregon’s One Clear Culprit in Loss to Huskies

---

• McLaughlin: How Washington can beat the Ducks in Autzen

---

• McLaughlin: How Ducks can Beat UW by Double Digits

---

• McLaughlin: Is USC Overrated in the Latest CFP Rankings?

---

• McLaughlin: Duck Recruiting, Dante Moore, Surprise Visitor

---

• McLaughlin: Could the Pac-12 Place 2 Teams in NY6 bowls?

---