USC defeats No. 2 Ohio State 30-18 at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, delivering the biggest win of Lincoln Riley’s tenure and shaking up the College Football Playoff picture. The Trojans’ offense centers on Jayden Maiava, who throws for 222 yards and a touchdown, while King Miller and Waymond Jordan each add rushing scores.
Several outlets frame the result as a major turnaround for USC’s postseason hopes. ESPN and CBS Sports emphasize the magnitude of the upset and its impact on Riley’s standing. The Athletic adds context about Ohio State’s situation, noting the Buckeyes play without Julian Sayin and that their issues extend beyond quarterback.
Meanwhile, Yahoo Sports highlights USC’s effect on the Big Ten/CFP race, focusing on how the win brings USC back into playoff consideration. The New York Post similarly spotlights the transformation in Riley’s narrative, describing the game as a response to earlier “hot seat” chatter, while also stressing USC’s “biggest win in years.”
