USC outlasts UCLA in thriller to keep Playoff dream alive: CFB media reacts
By Scott Rogust
The USC Trojans won a thrilling battle against UCLA Bruins, and their path to the College Football Playoff has become much clearer.
The College Football Playoff picture is looking a little bit clearer as Saturday progressed. And now, it’s time for fans to keep an eye on the USC Trojans. With the Tennessee Volunteers getting eliminated from contention with their loss to the South Carolina Gamecocks, USC had a chance to propel themselves into contention.
It was far from easy, but the Trojans were able to hold off the UCLA Bruins 48-45 to record their 10th win of the season and clinch their spot in the Pac-12 Championship Game. This all happening in the first year of Lincoln Riley leading the program.
College football media reacted to USC’s big win over UCLA
USC is BACK!
— RedditCFB (@RedditCFB) November 20, 2022
Final: Trojans 48, Bruins 45
Playoff contenders. pic.twitter.com/arKkUUjgL4
USC-UCLA delivered in a big way. And this being the first time most of the country watched a USC game this year, methinks Caleb Williams will be shooting up Heisman lists this week.
— Stewart Mandel (@slmandel) November 20, 2022
Caleb Williams put himself No. 1 in the Heisman race tonight. USC needs to beat Notre Dame and the winner of Oregon/Utah to make the playoff. Not a bad Year 1 for Lincoln Riley.
— Dan Wolken (@DanWolken) November 20, 2022
USC is going to the Pac-12 championship game in Year 1 under Lincoln Riley
— Adam Grosbard (@AdamGrosbard) November 20, 2022
Playoff list: Georgia, Ohio State, Michigan, TCU, USC, LSU if it wins out, Clemson is some stuff happens. That's it, that's the list.
— Pat Forde (@ByPatForde) November 20, 2022
USC and UCLA nearly scored as many points (93) as Michigan-Illinois, Wisconsin-Nebraska, Purdue-Northwestern and Iowa-Minnesota combined (114)
— Chris Vannini (@ChrisVannini) November 20, 2022
Usc held Zach Charbonnet to under 100 yards.
— Matt Leinart (@MattLeinartQB) November 20, 2022
Going to be a game next weekend.
— Pete Sampson (@PeteSampson_) November 20, 2022
USC will be playing to stay in the College Football Playoff hunt. Notre Dame will be playing for a second Top 10 win this month. Caleb Williams will be playing for the Heisman Trophy. There’s a lot there.
This game was pure chaos, as both teams combined for 1,155 yards of offense. Whenever USC would score a touchdown, UCLA would respond in kind.
There was quite the scare, as the Trojans had to punt the football back to the Bruins late with a three-point lead. UCLA, led by quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson, working their way to their own 43-yard line. But on third-and-five, Thompson-Robinson’s pass was intercepted by defensive end Korey Foreman. That clinched the win for USC, and they got to ring the victory bell afterwards.
Quarterback Caleb Williams had a Heisman-caliber performance, completing 32-of-43 pass attempts for 470 yards and two touchdowns, while throwing one interception. Williams also picked up 32 yards and a touchdown on eight runs.
Thompson-Robinson threw for 309 yards, four touchdowns, and three interceptions while completing 23-of-38 pass attempts.
USC is already in the Pac-12 Title Game, and they can further help their Playoff odds with a win over the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. They could very well sneak into the Top Four of the Playoff rankings after Week 13, since Ohio State and Michigan face off.
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