No. 9 Indiana beat No. 18 USC on Saturday – which had a signficant impact on the Big Ten and College Football Playoff races.
The Hoosiers pulled away in the fourth quarter in a 27-13 victory with the help of two fourth-quarter interceptions against the Trojans, including a red-zone pick by linebacker Isaiah Jones. With that, Indiana (9-1, 6-1 Big Ten) – the defending national champions – has all but clinched a playoff berth for the Big Ten with remaining games against Washington and Purdue.
The Hoosiers dropped five spots in last week’s CFP rankings, but this victory gives coach Curt Cignetti some insurance to stay in the top 12 over the final two weeks. USC (7-3, 4-3 Big Ten) suffered a third loss under embattled coach Lincoln Riley and will have to resort to playing spoiler.
MORE: Oregon’s path to the CFP
How Indiana beat USC
The Hoosiers have injuries everywhere. Star running back Turbo Richard and linebacker Rolijah Hardy were out against the Trojans, but Cignetti said on the CBS telecast that quarterback Josh Hoover was healthy coming out of the bye week.
Grant Wilson, who finished 17 of 27 for 305 yards, two TDs and an interception, might have taken over the starting job for good. Wilson hit tight end Brock Schott with 8:18 left in the first quarter for a touchdown, but the Hoosiers missed opportunities to stretch out that lead. Nico Radicic missed a 44-yard field goal. A TD pass to Charlie Becker was negated by a penalty.
With 44 seconds left in the first half, Wilson threw an interception on a tipped pass to USC defensive back Deven Bryant. USC quarterback Jayden Maiava hit freshman Kayden Dixon-Wyatt for a 51-yard pass, which set up a 7-yard TD pass to Zacharyus Williams with 23 seconds left in the half. That tied the score at 10.
The Hoosiers had 36 rushing yards at halftime, but Khobie Martin, who also was battling injuries, had a 38-yard run that set up his own 1-yard TD with 2:33 remaining for a 20-13 lead.
USC missed chances in the fourth quarter. Caden Chittenden missed a 27-yard field goal with 14:04 left. Jayden Maiava, who finished 26 of 42 for 311 yards, one TD and three interceptions, threw a red-zone pick to Jones with 6:35 remaining.
Wilson then delivered the dagger with a 42-yard TD pass to Charlie Becker, and Jamari Sharpe sealed the victory with an interception in the final minute.
Indiana isn’t a perfect product, especially with the injuries. Martin, who had 12 carries for 82 yards, and Lee Beebe Jr, who had 16 carries for 71 yards, energized the running game. The defense remains dominant, and Indiana should feel good about its prospects for at least a first-round home playoff game, and perhaps more.
Robert Goddin-Imagn Images
What Indiana’s win means for Big Ten, CFP
Indiana is in, barring a catastrophic closing to the season with losses to Washington and Purdue. That blocks Ohio State and Oregon out of the Big Ten championship game if UCLA wins one more game. In that event, the Bruins and Hoosiers would be playoff locks with the Big Ten looking to scrape a third team into the CFP as an at-large bid.
Big Ten CFP contenders
Five teams in the Big Ten still have three losses or less after Week 11, and those are the remaining contenders in the Big Ten and College Football Playoff race.
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No. 4 UCLA (10-0, 7-0)
Remaining schedule: at Michigan, vs. USC
The Bruins have to get at least a split in the next two games to get to the Big Ten championship game under first-year coach Bob Chesney. UCLA beat Illinois 22-14 in Week 11. The Bruins could still lose a game and get into the CFP.
MORE: Potential replacements for Kyle Whittingham at Michigan
No. 9 Indiana (9-1, 6-1)
Remaining schedule: at Washington, vs. Purdue
The Hoosiers control their own destiny in the Big Ten championship race, but they need victories against Washington and Purdue to ensure a trip to Indianapolis. Indiana, however, should get back into the CFP after hitting the 10-win mark for the third straight season.
MORE: Resetting the Heisman race after key injuries
No. 16 Oregon (7-3, 5-2)
Remaining schedule: at Michigan State, vs. Washington
The Ducks might be the best bet for a third College Football Playoff team at this point. Oregon beat Michigan 31-7 on Saturday and quarterback Dylan Raiola had four TD passes against the Wolverines. Oregon is building a late at-large case for a third straight CFP berth under coach Dan Lanning, but they need a Hoosiers’ loss to get into the Big Ten championship game.
No. 15 Iowa (7-2, 4-2)
Remaining schedule: vs. Purdue, at Illinois, vs. Nebraska
The Hawkeyes play Purdue on Saturday and can push closer to a potential first playoff appearance under long-time coach Kirk Ferentz.
No. 20 Ohio State (7-3, 5-2)
Remaining schedule: at Nebraska, vs. Michigan
The Buckeyes beat Northwestern 28-19. The Hoosiers’ victory against USC did not help Ohio State, who had a 19-15 head-to-head victory against the Hoosiers. The Buckeyes need help to reach the Big Ten championship game, which might be the only outlet to move up the standings after losses to USC and Oregon.
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