Lincoln Riley delivers bad news for USC’s College Football Playoff hopes

Lincoln Riley said that USC running back Travis Dye’s senior season has sadly come to an end.

Although No. 8 USC clobbered utterly toothless Colorado on Friday night to the tune of 55-17, the Trojans lost one of their most important offensive weapons for the season in the blowout victory.

Trojans head coach Lincoln Riley confirmed that running back Travis Dye’s lower leg injury is indeed of the season-ending variety. The former Oregon star has played a huge part in USC’s best season in ages. Although the Trojans can win the Pac-12 and make the College Football Playoff for the first time in school history, it is going to be all that much more difficult without Dye available.

"“It’s tough. It shook us all a little bit. He’s such an emotional leader. It sucks. No other way to put it,” said Riley after the game."

USC improved to 9-1 (7-1) on the season, but still has to play major rivals UCLA and Notre Dame.

Travis Dye injury hurts USC’s chances of making the College Football Playoff

At this juncture, whoever wins the Pac-12 is probably making the College Football Playoff. This is assuming either Oregon, UCLA or USC come out on top, as the Ducks, Bruins and Trojans are only one-loss teams. Two-loss teams like Utah and Washington could complicate things, but we will cross that bridge when we get there. However, USC still has to beat UCL and Notre Dame first…

If the Trojans can beat the Bruins and Fighting Irish consecutively to finish the year out at 11-1 (8-1), they might have what it takes to beat someone like Oregon, Utah or whoever in the Pac-12 title bout. Then again, Oregon just might be the best team in the Pac-12, and the Ducks lost Dye to the Trojans in the transfer portal. The point is USC has taken a big hit with Dye being lost for the year.

Ultimately, the Trojans have already massively overachieved this season. They are going to win around 10 games or so. Not bad for Riley’s first year leading the program. Unfortunately, the Trojans do not have the depth to afford a loss of this stature to any key position group. While they did clean up in the transfer portal, the Trojans’ lack of depth could be exposed in the final weeks.

Either the team rallies to do the improbable without Dye or the Trojans must prepare for next year.

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