USC returns to College Football Playoff ranking at No. 25

USC won’t be playing in the College Football Playoff championship game this season, but the Trojans’ rout of Notre Dame pushed them to No. 25 in the CFP ranking released Tuesday.

The Trojans defeated Notre Dame, 49-14, on Saturday.

USC finished the regular season with an 8-4 record and now awaits its bowl fate. Bowl game matchups will be announced Sunday.

USC had a No. 19 CFP ranking before it played UCLA on Nov. 22.

The Trojans fell out of the top 25 after their 38-20 defeat by the Bruins.

But they reappeared Tuesday after sending Notre Dame to its fourth consecutive defeat.

Follow Gary Klein on Twitter at @latimesklein