USC finishes No. 20 in final Associated Press poll

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USC players celebrate after defensive back Leon McQuay (24) stopped Nebraska running back Ameer Abdullah behind the line of scrimmage on a fourth-down play with 2 1/2 minutes left in the fourth quarter. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

2/26

Nebraska defensive tackle Kevin Williams breaks through to sack USC quarterback Cody Kessler in the fourth quarter. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

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USC running back Javorius Allen celebrates after scoring on a two-yard run against Nebraska in the third quarter of the Holiday Bowl. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

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Nebraska quarterback Tommy Armstong escapes pressure from USC defensive tackle Claude Pelon before throwing a touchdown pass in the third quarter. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Jordan Westerkamp, Josh Shaw, Gerald Bowman

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Nebraska receiver Jordan Westerkamp turns away from USC defensive backs Josh Shaw (6) and Gerald Bowman for a 65-yard touchdown pass play in the third quarter. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

6/26

Cornhuskers kicker Drew Brown connects for a 24-yard field goal against the Trojans in the third quarter. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

7/26

USC tailback Justin Davis breaks free of Nebraska safety Corey Cooper for a long third-quarter run during the Holiday Bowl. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

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USC receiver Nelson Agholor tumbles into the end zone for a touchdown reception past Nebraska safety Corey Cooper during the first half at the Holiday Bowl. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

9/26

USC safety John Plattenberg misses a tackle on Nebraska running back Ameer Abdullah during first half action Saturday at the Holiday Bowl. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

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USC kick returner Adoree’ Jackson is spun around as he attempts a return against Nebraska during the first half of the Holiday Bowl. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

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Trojans cornerback Adoree’ Jackson can’t make the tackle on Cornhuskers receiver Kenny Bell in the first half. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

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Trojans running back Javorius Allen leaps over teammate Zach Banner (73) for a touchdown against the Cornhuskers in the second quarter. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

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USC receiver Adoree’ Jackson is hauled down by Nebraska defenders after a reception in the Holiday Bowl. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

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USC receiver Nelson Agholor (15) celebrates with teammate Bryce Dixon after scoring on a 17-yard reception in the second quarter. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

De'Mornay Pierson-El, Adoree' Jackson, John Plattenburg

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USC defensive backs Adoree’ Jackson (2) and John Plattenburg can’t prevent Nebraska receiver De’Mornay Pierson-El from scoring in the first half. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

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Cornhusker receiver Kenny Bell just misses a pass for a touchdown in front of Trojans cornerback Josh Shaw in the first half. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

17/26

USC kick returner Adoree’ Jackson heads toward the end zone after Nebraska kicker Drew Brown misses the tackle in the first half. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

18/26

Trojans cornerback Adoree’ Jackson (2) uses his head, literally, to deflect a pass intended for Cornhuskers receiver Kenny Bell in the first half. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

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Trojans running back Justin Davis makes a long run during USC’s 45-42 victory over Nebraska in the Holiday Bowl last month. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

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USC punter Kris Albarado has a punt blocked by Nebraska’s Kieron Williams during the first quarter of the Holiday Bowl. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

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Trojans punter Kris Albarado is in pain after he was brought down by Nebraska’s Kieron Williams, who partially blocked the kick. (Lenny Ignelzi / Associated Press)

22/26

Cornhuskers offensive tackle Alex Lewis dives over Trojans linebacker Hayes Pullard for a touchdown after catching a short pass. Nebraska, though, had an illegal formation that nullified the score. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

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USC safety Gerald Bowman breaks up a pass intended for Nebraska wide receiver Jordan Westerkamp in the first half of the Holiday Bowl. (Lenny Ignelzi / Associated Press)

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Nebraska quarterback Tommy Armstrong makes a pass while on the move against USC in the first half. (Donald Miralle / Getty Images)

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USC quarterback Cody Kessler unloads a pass against Nebraska in the first half. (Donald Miralle / Getty Images)

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Trojans players take the field before the start of the Holiday Bowl game against Nebraska. (Donald Miralle / Getty Images)

By Gary Klein

Staff Writer

Jan. 13, 2015 11:38 AM PT

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USC finished No. 20 in the final Associated Press media poll released Tuesday.

The Trojans completed a 9-4 season with a 45-42 Holiday Bowl victory over Nebraska.

Ohio State, winner of the College Football Playoff championship game, was No. 1 followed by Oregon, TCU and Alabama. Michigan State and Florida State tied at No. 5.

Times reporters do not vote in the poll.

Other Pac-12 Conference schools in the top 25: UCLA at No. 10, Arizona State at No. 12, Arizona at No. 19 and Utah at No. 21.

USC players began spring semester classes on Monday.