Head coach Lincoln Riley and the USC Trojans secured a massive 30-18 victory against the second-ranked Ohio State Buckeyes on Saturday night. This major upset dramatically alters the narrative in Los Angeles, pushing USC back into the College Football Playoff discussion as the team enters the final month of the season.
Defending the Coliseum and Silence the Critics
Before this weekend, the pressure surrounding Lincoln Riley and his job security had reached intense levels. With the victory, Riley earned only his sixth win in 21 tries against ranked opponents during his tenure at USC. It also improved his all-time record against AP top-six opponents to 2-6, matching a feat he last achieved in 2017 while coaching Oklahoma against the Buckeyes.
Addressing reporters prior to the contest, Lincoln Riley made his commitment to the program clear:
"If I didn't want to be at this place, I wouldn't have come here in the first place. I've had plenty of opportunities to leave. This is where I want to be. This is the right place for me. I'm the right person to be here. And that's as honest and transparent as I can be with you guys."
He added further context regarding his historic move to Los Angeles:
"I love it here. I mean, like I told you guys a lot of times, there's not many people in college football history that gave up what I gave up to come here. I don't care if it's 15 years down the line; that never should be taken lightly. It's certainly not taken lightly by me. I came here because I believe in this place and none of that has changed whatsoever."
Key Performers on Offense and Defense
Game execution was stellar on both sides of the ball for the USC Trojans.
- Defensive Containment: The defense designed a strong strategy against Heisman frontrunner Jeremiah Smith, limiting him to 10 catches for 83 yards and a single touchdown.
- Quarterback Pressure: Ohio State freshman quarterback Luke Fahey, making his first career start for injured Julian Sayin, struggled to find rhythm while being chased out of the pocket.
- Trojans Offense: Quarterback Jayden Maiava threw for 222 yards and a touchdown. Running backs King Miller and Waymond Jordan added 126 rushing yards and two combined touchdowns.
For Ohio State head coach Ryan Day, the defeat marked only his sixth loss in 65 games against Big Ten competition.
The Path to the College Football Playoff
Now standing at 7-2 overall and 4-2 in conference play, USC sits in a three-way tie for third place in the Big Ten standings following Week 9. If the Trojans win out their remaining matchups—which include games against Indiana and undefeated UCLA—they control their own destiny for an at-large College Football Playoff berth.
A potential appearance in the Big Ten Championship Game in Indianapolis remains mathematically possible, though it requires specific tiebreaker scenarios involving multiple conference opponents.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who did USC upset in Week 9?
USC defeated the second-ranked Ohio State Buckeyes by a score of 30-18 on Saturday night.
What is USC's current record after the win?
The Trojans improved to 7-2 overall and 4-2 in conference play following the victory.
How did Lincoln Riley perform against top-ranked opponents historically?
Prior to this game, Riley was 1-6 all-time against AP top-six opponents, with his only prior win coming in 2017 while at Oklahoma.