Southern California is undefeated and can win its second Pac-12 championship in four years with a victory over Oregon on Friday.
It still may not be enough to get the No. 13 Trojans into the College Football Playoff.
USC is No. 14 in the latest CFP rankings and, barring a massive shakeup ahead in the standings, is not likely to earn one of the top four spots.
“I’m still holding out some hope,” Pac-12 Commissioner Larry Scott said during a video call on Thursday. “I know the committee is going to watch the game, and depending on how USC does, if they continue to improve and look good as they have, we’re hoping that they will be in the discussion for a playoff spot.