Main Story

USC’s 30-18 upset of No. 2 Ohio State delivered Lincoln Riley his biggest win in Los Angeles and quieted mounting questions about his job. At 7-2, the Trojans are back in the College Football Playoff conversation and control their path to a potential at-large berth if they win their remaining games. Reaching the Big Ten title game is possible, but depends on a complicated set of results elsewhere.

By the Numbers
  • 30-18: USC’s final score against Ohio State.
  • 7-2 overall and 4-2 in Big Ten play: USC’s record after the win.
  • 83 receiving yards: Jeremiah Smith’s output on 10 catches.
  • 222 passing yards and a touchdown: Jayden Maiava’s totals.
  • 126 rushing yards and 2 touchdowns: King Miller and Waymond Jordan’s combined production.
Yes, But

The win doesn’t erase USC’s earlier losses to Oregon and Wisconsin, and the Trojans’ Big Ten title-game path remains difficult. Riley’s team needs to win out and relies on multiple other teams losing enough games to clear the standings and tiebreaker hurdles.

State of Play
  • USC has Indiana, Maryland and UCLA left on its schedule.
  • Winning out would put the Trojans in strong position for the program’s first at-large CFP berth.
  • USC’s best possible Big Ten record is 7-2, with a title-game berth dependent on several results and tiebreakers.
What’s Next

USC’s remaining games will determine whether the Ohio State upset becomes a springboard to the playoff or a standout win in a season that falls short. A victory over unbeaten UCLA during rivalry weekend would be especially consequential.

Bottom Line

Riley answered the pressure with a statement win, putting USC’s playoff hopes back in its own hands. The Trojans can make the case for a CFP spot by winning out; a Big Ten championship-game appearance will take more than that.