Indiana Hoosiers boost College Football Playoff hopes with 27-13 win over USC Trojans

It's kind of hard to believe that USC and Indiana had only played five times going into Saturday's game in Bloomington, and boy, was this one big.This page may contain affiliate links to legal sports betting partners.If you sign up or place a wager, FOX News may be compensated.

This content was created by a team that works independently from the FOX newsroom.Both teams came in facing what was effectively a "must-win" scenario as far as having a shot at the College Football Playoff.CFP REACTION: ALABAMA FEELS THE LOVE, INDIANA GETS THE SHAFT AND BIG 12 GETS RELIEF AS COMMITTEE CONFUSES USUSC Trojans running back Waymond Jordan (2) lands on his head at the end of a run against the Indiana Hoosiers.(Robert Goddin-Imagn Images)Lincoln Riley and the Trojans have struggled on the road, and that's what they were facing on Saturday.

As for the Hoosiers, their ground game took a hit before the game even began when running back Turbo Richard was ruled out.Both defenses were clicking in the first half, which put points at a premium.Indiana struck first when QB Grant Wilson hit tight end Brock Schott for six.Somewhat strangely, both teams missed field goals in the first half, but each of them made up for it with another.

That made it a 10-7 game with under a minute until halftime.That's when USC's Deven Bryant picked off Wilson, putting the ball back in quarterback Jayden Maiava's hands.After a 51-yard bomb to Kayden Dixon-Wyatt, Maiava hit wideout Zacharyus Williams for a 7-yard touchdown to tie it.CLICK HERE FOR MORE OUTKICK SPORTS COVERAGEEach team added a field goal early in the second half, and then Indiana pulled ahead thanks to a five-play, 75-yard drive, capped off by a Khobie Martin touchdown.USC followed with a lengthy drive that ended early in the fourth quarter with a field goal attempt to cut the Indiana lead to four.Indiana Hoosiers wide receiver Nick Marsh (11) makes a catch while being defended by USC Trojans safety Christian Pierce (6).(Robert Goddin-Imagn ...