Lincoln Riley's USC Falls to Wisconsin, Playoff Hopes Fade

No. 16 USC lost 24-7 at Wisconsin on Saturday, a defeat that dropped the Trojans to 6-2 overall and 3-2 in the Big Ten, according to the New York Post. The loss, at Camp Randall Stadium, left USC in seventh place in the conference standings with four games remaining.

What happened in USC's loss to Wisconsin?

USC scored its fewest points in any game coach Lincoln Riley has led in 10 seasons as a head coach, the Post reported. The Trojans crossed midfield four times without scoring, attempted a 58-yard field goal that fell short, and finished with minus-17 rushing yards, according to the outlet. Wisconsin receiver Chris Brooks Jr. scored on a diving touchdown catch during the game, per Associated Press photography cited by the Post.

Game snapshot

• Final score: Wisconsin 24, USC 7 (Post)
• USC record after the loss: 6-2 overall, 3-2 Big Ten (Post)
• USC rushing yards: minus-17 (Post)

How did Lincoln Riley explain the loss?

Riley "accepted some responsibility, saying he didn't coach well enough and made some bad calls," the Post reported, while also striking what the outlet described as "a characteristically defiant tone." Riley pointed to Penn State's performance two weeks earlier as a comparison point for Wisconsin, according to the excerpt of his remarks included in the Post's account.

Why do USC's earlier losses matter now?

The Post's column traces a pattern across USC's season: a sloppy showing at winless Rutgers was attributed to the difficulty of a road game; a loss to Oregon's backup quarterback was framed as falling short against a strong opponent; and a comeback win over a Washington team down to its fourth-string running back was cast as a turning point. The column argues these explanations have piled up without producing results, calling the loss at Wisconsin the point where "USC's season went to die."

What does this mean for USC's College Football Playoff chances?

USC cannot afford another loss and still reach the College Football Playoff, the Post reported, which means the Trojans must win out against a remaining schedule that includes three top-10 opponents: Ohio State, Indiana and UCLA. Sitting seventh in the Big Ten at 3-2 in conference play, USC has little margin left in a league that sends a limited number of teams to the playoff field.

What terms explain USC's situation?

Big Ten standings rank conference teams by record within Big Ten play; USC's 3-2 mark puts it seventh. College Football Playoff (CFP) contention refers to a team's realistic path to one of the postseason's bracketed spots, which for USC now requires running the table. Fourth-string running back, as used by the Post in describing Washington's depth chart, means the fourth player listed at that position, typically used only when starters and backups are unavailable.

The season's final stretch — against Ohio State, Indiana and UCLA — will determine whether USC's record survives contact with the schedule the Post says now stands between Riley's team and a playoff bid.