It can absolutely be viewed as something of a slight to not have USC in the AP Top 25 Poll during the preseason. Because of this latest aspect, it appears that most would have the ceiling of the Trojans being at best 9-3 during the regular season. By all accounts, when looking at how some of the past seasons have unfolded, there would not be too many complaints over a nine-win year, with a bowl game to cap things off in 2025.
If, on the other hand, USC were to be closer to a four- or five-loss team, then some of the voices that are already critical of the program would become increasingly louder.