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USC Stuns Ohio State As Buckeyes’ Playoff Hopes Crumble
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- USC Stuns Ohio State As Buckeyes’ Playoff Hopes Crumble
Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
USC just handed Ohio State a 30-18 loss in Week 9, a result that flips the college football playoff picture on its head. The Buckeyes struggled without Julian Sayin and now face a tough road to the conference title. This win marks Lincoln Riley's first victory against a top-five ranked team since 2017, back when he coached at Oklahoma. The Trojans sit at 7-2 and still control their own destiny for the rest of the season.
Ohio State looks like a team in trouble after this upset loss. True freshman Luke Fahey played like he was making his first career start during the game against the Trojans. The Buckeyes need to win out just to feel good about making the College Football Playoff, according to Yahoo Sports . Their quarterback situation remains murky and offers little hope for fans right now. A win over unranked Oregon in Week 10 could shift the Big Ten standings and save their season.
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The Rise of the Trojans
Lincoln Riley might not be the long-term coach in Los Angeles, but his team just delivered a massive statement. USC beat a top-five team for the first time in nearly a decade of his tenure. The victory gives the program momentum they desperately needed to finish the year strong. If they can win out, this could be the first time USC makes the playoff under Riley.
The win over Ohio State proves the Trojans are dangerous despite early season doubts. They have found a way to beat elite competition when it matters most. This result changes the narrative around the program and puts pressure on the rest of the field.
Wake Forest and South Carolina Surge
While Ohio State falls, other teams are climbing the ranks with surprising speed. The ACC's second-best squad appears to be Wake Forest, which genuinely competes for a playoff berth. Second-year coach Jake Dickert has led the Demon Deacons to a 9-4 record last season and a 7-1 start in 2026. They just dominated California and Virginia with scores of 41-7 and 51-7 in back-to-back weeks.
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South Carolina also found new life after a rough start to the year. Following an October 3 defeat to Kentucky, Shane Beamer faced the most precarious coaching position in college football. The Gamecocks have since looked like a different team with wins over Florida, Tennessee, and Oklahoma. LaNorris Sellers has returned to performing as an elite NFL draft prospect at quarterback. South Carolina now holds a 5-3 record after beginning the campaign with a 2-3 start.
The Playoff Picture Gets Messy
Only three unbeaten teams remain in college football heading into Week 10. No. 4 Utah and No. 5 UCLA are the only squads with perfect records left. That could change very soon as these teams face formidable opponents on Saturday, Nov. 1. A decisive game for the top ranking awaits the Hurricanes as they face No. 6 Notre Dame.
The Utes and Bruins face tough tests against BYU and Minnesota respectively. Ohio State faces unranked Oregon in a game that could knock them into bubble territory if they lose. Oregon remains technically alive in the race, yet a victory could restore them to the discussion. The race for the College Football Playoff is wide open across the Power Four conferences.
