Fastrack · Indiana Beats No. 18 USC 27-13, Boosting Playoff Hopes

Indiana beat USC 27-13 on Saturday in Bloomington. Backup quarterback Grant Wilson started and threw two touchdown passes.

305 passing yards for Wilson on 17-of-27, with one interception.
42-yard Wilson touchdown to Charlie Becker sealed it late.
3 interceptions thrown by USC's Jayden Maiava, two in the final 10 minutes.
25 wins in 26 games for Indiana, now 9-1 and 6-1.

Why it matters: Indiana coach Curt Cignetti had not named a starter before the game. Wilson had replaced Josh Hoover two weeks earlier and rallied the Hoosiers past Minnesota.

Indiana remains in position for a third straight playoff appearance.
USC has not reached the playoff since Riley arrived in December 2021.

The story so far

2 steps · since Nov 10

Nov 10CFP Rankings Drop Indiana as Alabama Rises19 sources
Nov 12Indiana Beats No. 18 USC 27-13, Boosting Playoff HopesYou are hereLatest

How 7 sources split on this story

Source landscape

Factuality

High

Mixed

Low

Strong LeftLeftLean LeftCenterLean RightRightStrong Right

Political Bias

Coverage by lean% of 7 sources

7 sources · 19 articles · 57% Center coverage

Where they split: Outlets differ on why Hoover sat: Newsweek cites a shoulder injury, while the New York Post reported he was not on the injury report.

Center coverage, 4 sources: The center sees Indiana reviving its title defense while Riley nears an unwanted record.

USA Today31mUSC great Keyshawn Johnson calls for Lincoln Riley firing: 'Time to find somebody else'Heavy2hIndiana’s Curt Cignetti Jokes About QB Decision After USC Win ESPN2hGrant Wilson, Indiana boost CFP, Big Ten hopes with win vs. USC - ESPN Newsweek51mUSC’s Lincoln Riley Promises Team is ‘Close’ After 27-13 Loss to Indiana

Left coverage, 1 sources: The left focuses on USC squandering red-zone chances and Riley missing the playoff again.

Los Angeles Times2hUSC needs to make the right decision and fire Lincoln Riley

Right coverage, 2 sources: The right highlights Indiana's playoff boost and Riley's claim that USC is close.

OutKick2hIndiana Hoosiers boost College Football Playoff hopes with 27-13 win over USC Trojans New York Post12mUSC legend calls for Lincoln Riley’s job in savage response to crushing Indiana loss

What’s next: Indiana travels to Washington next week.

USC hosts Maryland, then plays No. 4 UCLA on Nov. 28.
Will Wilson or Hoover start for Indiana against Washington?
Can Indiana reach the Big Ten Championship Game from here?