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A prime opportunity slipped away in Madison on Saturday night as the No. 16 USC Trojans fell to the Wisconsin Badgers, 24-7, in a game that could haunt their College Football Playoff aspirations.
Coming off a bye week, the Trojans aimed to build momentum and solidify their standing in the playoff race. Instead, they reverted to familiar road struggles under head coach Lincoln Riley, faltering in all three phases at Camp Randall Stadium.
The offensive showing was particularly surprising for a Riley-coached team known for its high-powered attacks. Wisconsin's defensive scheme, orchestrated by head coach Luke Fickell, proved to be a masterclass in disrupting USC's rhythm.
Maiava Under Siege
Jayden Maiava, the Trojans' starting quarterback in his second season, had been a model of consistency, leading the Big Ten in passing. However, the Badgers had a stellar game plan, forcing two first-quarter interceptions from Maiava. Although those turnovers led to only three Wisconsin points, they set the tone for a difficult night.
Wisconsin's pressure persisted, sacking Maiava five times. He finished with 258 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions on 31-of-50 passing. The relentless defense gave Fickell one of his most signature wins since taking over in Madison.
Receivers Shut Down
USC's wide receivers, who starred in a road win over Penn State on Oct. 10, were largely neutralized. Trent Mosley, Tanook Hines, and Kayden Dixon-Wyatt found little room to operate. Mosley led the group with five receptions for 45 yards, but the Badgers' secondary made key plays and benefited from consistent pressure up front.
The absence of true freshman tight end Mark Bowman, who missed his third straight game with an undisclosed injury, further hampered the offense. Bowman's presence was sorely missed in one of the season's most critical matchups.
Rushing Attack Stifled
The Trojans' running game, which has been inconsistent all year, had no answer for Wisconsin's defensive line. Running backs King Miller and Shahn Alston were held to a staggering minus-17 rushing yards on 25 carries. It was a crushing performance for a unit that entered the 2026 season with high expectations.
Path Forward
Now sitting at 6-2 overall and 3-2 in the Big Ten, USC faces a daunting stretch. Three games remain against top-10 opponents: No. 3 Ohio State on Oct. 31, No. 6 Indiana on Nov. 14, and No. 9 Indiana (likely a typo; should be another team). Essentially, the Trojans must win out to keep their CFP hopes alive.
Saturday's loss feels like a season-altering setback, especially after the bye week. USC will look to rebound on Halloween night against a Julian Sayin-less Ohio State team at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Kickoff is set for 4:30 p.m. PT on NBC.