Indiana seizes CFP lifeline vs USC, pushes Lincoln Riley toward unwanted history
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No. 9 Indiana handed No.
18 USC a decisive 27-13 defeat on Saturday, effectively eliminating the Trojans from College Football Playoff contention. The Hoosiers’ victory in Bloomington marked the first time Indiana has defeated USC under head coaches Lincoln Riley and Curt Cignetti, a matchup that carried significant implications for both teams’ playoff aspirations.
USC, which had struggled in recent Big Ten road games under Riley, managed to close within 10 yards of the end zone on three consecutive second-half drives but failed to capitalize, leaving them with just three points on the board. The loss compounds Riley’s challenges, as USC now faces an uphill battle to secure its first-ever playoff appearance with only two wins remaining on the schedule.
Indiana’s win solidifies its standing as a playoff contender while underscoring the difficulty USC has encountered in securing road victories in the conference.