The Big Ten’s CFP picture is becoming much clearer, and Indiana joined UCLA atop the conference with a 27-13 home win over No. 18 USC on Saturday. The Trojans battled throughout Saturday’s game, overcoming an early 10-3 deficit to tie the game at 10 entering halftime.

Lincoln Riley’s team matched Indiana’s field goal in the third quarter, but Hoosiers running back Khobie Martin scored a touchdown with 2:39 left in the quarter to take a 20-13 lead. Indiana’s defense stepped up in the fourth quarter, as USC’s final three offensive drives resulted in a missed 27-yard field goal, a fumble and an interception.

Indiana quarterback Grant Wilson, who got the nod to start under center over Josh Hoover, put the game on ice with a 42-yard touchdown pass to Charlie Becker to make it 27-13.

Charlie Becker gives the Hoosiers a two-score lead‼️

📺 @CBSSportsCFB pic.twitter.com/CbxayBIjjS

— CFP (@CFBPlayoff) November 14, 2026

Wilson finished throwing for 305 yards passing with two touchdowns and an interception. He had a better day than USC’s Jayden Maiava, who had three interceptions. 

Now that the USC loss is official, let’s take a look at where things stand with USC’s playoff hopes.  

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Is USC out of the playoff?

USC had a chance to break into the CFP race with a win over Indiana, but the loss drops the Trojans to 7-3 on the season. With three losses to the Hoosiers, on the road against unranked Wisconsin and to Oregon in Week 5, the Trojans don’t truly have a case to make it into the CFP. They would some serious help to crack the field. 

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USC CFP resume

USC’s lone signature win came over then-No. 2 Ohio State two weeks ago, an impressive 30-18 win in Los Angeles. But USC’s other wins came against unranked opponents, including Big Ten teams Rutgers, Washington and Penn State. USC’s nonconference wins came over San Jose State, Fresno State and Louisiana, which won’t move the needle much.

Entering Saturday, USC had just a 14% chance to make the CFP per ESPN’s FPI. 

USC remaining schedule

USC has remaining games against Maryland at home next week, followed by a road game against No. 4 UCLA during Rivalry Week on Nov. 28. A win over the undefeated Bruins won’t be enough to make USC a contender, as the Trojans don’t have nearly enough signature wins to offset their three losses.

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