USC revived its College Football Playoff hopes Saturday night with a 30-18 victory over second-ranked Ohio State, giving coach Lincoln Riley a significant result amid questions about his future and the program's performance. The Trojans enter the season's final month with a route to playoff contention and a chance to reach the Big Ten Championship Game.
The win moved USC to 7-2 overall and 4-2 in conference play, leaving it in a three-way tie for third in the Big Ten after Week 9. Indiana, Maryland and UCLA remain on the schedule. Winning all three would give the Trojans three victories over ranked opponents this season and strengthen their case for the first at-large CFP berth in program history. Indiana has one loss, while UCLA remains unbeaten.
USC's defense helped determine the outcome by keeping Ohio State's passing attack under pressure. Jeremiah Smith, the Heisman Trophy frontrunner, finished with 10 receptions for 83 yards and a touchdown. Freshman quarterback Luke Fahey, making his first career start in place of the injured Julian Sayin, struggled to establish a passing rhythm as the Trojans repeatedly forced him out of the pocket.
On offense, USC quarterback Jayden Maiava threw for 222 yards and a touchdown. Running backs King Miller and Waymond Jordan added a combined 126 rushing yards and two touchdowns. For Ohio State coach Ryan Day, the defeat was just his sixth in 65 games against Big Ten opponents.
Riley entered the matchup with a 1-6 record against opponents ranked in the AP's top six. His previous victory in that category also came against Ohio State, when Oklahoma won 31-16 in 2017 in his second game as a head coach. Earlier in the week, Riley had reaffirmed his commitment to USC, saying: "This is where I want to be. This is the right place for me."
Reaching the conference championship game remains more complicated than securing a strong playoff position. USC can finish no better than 7-2 in Big Ten play and would need favorable results elsewhere, along with the necessary tiebreakers. UCLA, Ohio State, Indiana, Northwestern and Nebraska are among the teams that could factor into a tie with the Trojans.
Riley is now 42-20 at USC, where he guided the program to 11 wins in 2022 before its move to the Big Ten. Despite losses to Oregon and Wisconsin this fall, the victory over Ohio State leaves the Trojans with meaningful opportunities in their remaining games and a renewed chance to reach the playoff.
