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By Jordan Sigler
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USC head coach Lincoln Riley was facing pressure to get a big win over No. 2 Ohio State at home on Saturday.
Before the game, reports surfaced that Riley was going to be judged week-to-week for the remainder of the season. The expectations for the season were clear for Riley. He needed to put USC in a position to make the College Football Playoff for the first time in his tenure.
Last week, USC suffered a 24-7 loss to Wisconsin, which dropped the Trojans to 6-2 on the season. Riley and his team responded in a big way in Los Angeles on Saturday night, beating Ohio State without quarterback Julian Sayin 30-18.
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Per ESPN Insights, the Trojans’ win over the Buckeyes was the program's first win over an AP top-two team since they defeated Oklahoma 55-19 in the national championship for the 2004 season.
For the Buckeyes, it was the first time the program added a second loss before November since the 2011 campaign. Ohio State finished 6-7 that season under interim head coach Luke Fickell, who took over after Jim Tressel resigned amid a scandal.
The win will provide some relief for Riley. Earlier in the week, he confirmed his commitment to the Trojans.
"I love it here. I mean like I told you guys a lot of times -- there's not many people in college football history that gave up what I gave up to come here," Riley said. "I don't care if it's 15 years down the line, that never should be taken lightly. It's certainly not taken lightly by me. I came here because I believe in this place and none of that has changed whatsoever."
The schedule won't immediately get easier for Riley and the Trojans. USC will next travel to play No. 4 Indiana in Week 10.
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