Problem is, if you skip USC, then you run into UCLA or Texas. The top of that mountain is tall regardless of what regional You get placed in this year.
I'd noticed NC State climbing the rankings, but to see them ahead of the Frogs is a surprise. TCU has the head-to-head, a better overall record, and the best win (beating Notre Dame at a neutral site is better than beating Duke at home). So I don't understand that case. But NC State lost today (to UNC), and none of this really matters until next month. Solidifying a top-16 hosting spot is the first hurdle.