USC Trojans Face Indiana After Upset of Ohio State

The narrative surrounding Lincoln Riley and the University of Southern California shifted dramatically over the last seven days. After a loss to Wisconsin earlier in the season, questions emerged about whether Riley would retain his position in Los Angeles. A difficult final stretch of the schedule threatened to leave the Trojans with a 7-5 record, a finish that likely would have ended his tenure. Instead, USC defeated then-No. 1 Ohio State 30-18 in rainy conditions in Los Angeles, marking their most complete performance of the year.

The win improved USC's record to 7-2 and earned them a bye week before their next contest. The team now prepares to travel to Bloomington, Indiana, to face No. 4 Indiana on November 14 at 3:30 p.m. ET on CBS. This matchup represents a critical test for the Trojans. While they rallied at home against Ohio State, their away record in the Big Ten over the past three years stands at 5-7. One of those five wins came in a game against UCLA in Los Angeles, while the team also suffered a road loss to Notre Dame in that span.

USC’s recent road struggles include a loss as a favorite at Wisconsin and a narrow escape against Rutgers. The team also fell to a Penn State squad that had only one win in conference play. Indiana enters the game with its own issues, having escaped two recent overtime losses against unranked opponents. The Hoosiers have a bye week of their own to decide between quarterbacks Grant Wilson and Josh Hoover. Wilson showed better accuracy in recent weeks, while Hoover has struggled to convert key throws since taking over in the second half of games.

The outcome of the Indiana game will likely dictate USC's fate in the College Football Playoff. The selection committee did not include the Trojans in the first batch of rankings, signaling skepticism about their sudden rise. If USC can defeat Indiana, they secure a favorable position against remaining opponents. Maryland is the conference’s common unranked opponent, and the Trojans have a chance to finish the season by facing crosstown rival UCLA. A win over the Bruins would solidify USC's standing in the national conversation.

Indiana currently ranks second in the Big Ten power rankings, behind only UCLA. The Hoosiers have demonstrated resilience despite offensive inconsistencies, including a 60-yard field goal at the buzzer to force overtime against Minnesota last week. Their special teams performance has been volatile, but their ability to compete in close games keeps them near the top of the conference. For USC, the trip to Bloomington offers a chance to prove they are no longer a team that fades on the road under Riley's leadership.

The stakes extend beyond a single win or loss. A victory at Indiana would place USC in a position to challenge for a playoff spot, while a defeat would likely confirm the doubts raised after the Wisconsin loss. The Trojans have shown they can perform at a high level in high-pressure home games, but they have yet to demonstrate that consistency on the road. The November 14 game serves as the definitive measure of whether the recent surge is a sustained improvement or a temporary anomaly in an otherwise inconsistent season.