-Recently USC lost to Stanfrd (who if you didn't know where a 41 point underdog; that's right a 41 point underdog). They were ranked 1st, after the loss they are still ranked in the top 10.
-Last year they were ranked 3rd before the loss of Oregon State. When they lost they got dropped 6 spots and still remained in the top 10.
-Now Michigan lost to Appls. State and fell from 5th to the unranked.
-Wisconsin who was ranked 5th before the loss to a very good team in Illinois got dropped to 19th!!!

explanations anybody????

Absolute, total and unabashed media biased polling. The media wants USC to be there, so they are.

Everyone knows about the West Coast Bias. The voters out there don't want to realize how bad the PAC-10 really is. I wouldn't call Illinois good either.

BCS system. It's one of lifes great mystery's.

It's because college football is not a serious sport. Serious sports allow players to settle the questions on the field. College football is a popularity contest for high school minded voters.

doesn't matter

trojans vs gamecocks national championship!

lol.

Here goes--USC recruits heavily and is ALWAYS in the hunt for the championship...just like about 15 other teams are EVERY YEAR!

Wisconsin has to win and go to the Rose Bowl or another BIG BCS bowl game to have any chance. 1 loss is OK, but not more. Very few teams with more than one loss will win.

BTW, the Mich App St. game was one of the biggest upsets of ALL TIME, because Mich was the home team and App State is a AA school...

Depends on several factors. Playing away from home? The team that beat you, what
kind of record did they have? Who have they
played? When App. State beat Mich., it was
quite a surprise but not a total shock. App.
State has a damn good team. The rankings
can be quite confusing sometimes but it all
comes down to best team at the end of the
year and USC seems to be the best. I hope
they play LSU.

USC fell victim to it own press coverage. Nobody hands out victories, you have to earn them. USC fell short and they have to deal with it. If LSU and other remain undefeated, they will have earned a shot at the crystal football. I don't give much faith to polls. Wins and Losses are what counts and right now USC is down 1. LSU is undefeated. I am a USC fan, but LSU upheld thier end of the deal.