2000 USC Trojans football team

The 2000 USC Trojans football team represented the University of Southern California (USC) as a member of Pacific-10 Conference (Pac-10) during the 2000 NCAA Division I-A football season. In their third and final year under head coach Paul Hackett, the Trojans compiled an overall record of 5–7 record with a mark of 2–6 in conference play, placing in a three-way for eighth at the bottom of the Pac-10 standings, and were outscored by opponents 337 to 309. The team played home games at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles.

This was first time the USC finished last in the Pac-10. After winning the 18th Kickoff Classic against ranked Penn State, the Trojans won their next two non-conference games and were ranked as high as No. 8 in the AP poll. The game against San Jose State in September 23 was the 500th game USC played in the Coliseum, which the Trojans won after trailing 24–12. They lost their first conference game to Oregon State, breaking their 26-game winning streak against the conference rival, and then lost the next four games, tying with California and Washington State for last place in the Pac-10. Petros Papadakis, a team captain for the season and later a broadcaster, claims he was "the captain of the worst football team in USC history."

Quarterback Carson Palmer led the team in passing, completing 228 of 415 passes for 2,914 yards with 16 touchdowns and 18 interceptions. Sultan McCullough led the team in rushing with 227 carries for 1,163 yards and six touchdowns. Kareem Kelly led the team in receiving yards with 55 catches for 796 yards and four touchdowns.