USC has two losses this season, but both came to ranked teams on the road. So there's still that vision of making the College Football Playoff if they can win out, and they got November started right on Friday night, beating Northwestern 38-17 at the Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles. 

Quarterback Jayden Maiava had another big game for the Trojans, passing for 299 yards and two touchdowns as USC raised its record to 7-2 and 5-1 in the Big Ten. Makai Lemon was his favorite target, catching 11 balls for 161 yards.

They also rushed for 173 yards, with King Miller leading the way with 127 yards and a touchdown on 15 carries

Here's the game story from Northwestern Roundtable publisher Gavin Dorsey.

USC Receivers Lemon and Lane Gash Northwestern in 38-17 Wildcat Defeat The 'Cats could not keep up with USC's talented wideout duo.

USC has Iowa and Oregon next, two ranked teams with playoff aspirations of their own. Getting past Nebraska and Northwestern after the loss to Notre Dame has set up a fun run to the postseason in November, which is something new in the Lincoln Riley era at USC.

“We were excited about the challenge that this became,” Riley said. “Flipping time zones, the tough battle in Lincoln just a few days ago, and then having to turn over and play a really good football team coming off a bye week. I just felt like these last two games would be a really important stretch for this season, and it’s cool to see our guys respond.”

Northwestern, which gave up a season-high 38 points, is now 5-4 overall and 3-3 in the Big Ten. They need one more win to get bowl eligible. They have home games with Michigan and Minnesota, and finish the season on the road at Illinois.

USC 2025 football schedule, results

Aug. 30 — USC 73, Missouri State 13 at Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, Calif.
Sept. 6 — USC 59, Georgia Southern 20 at Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, Calif.
Sept. 13 — USC 33, Purdue 16 at Ross-Ade Stadium in West Lafayette, Ind. 
Sept. 20 — No. 25 USC 45, Michigan State 31 at Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, Calif.
Sept. 27 — No. 23 Illinois 34, No. 21 USC 32 at Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Ill.
Oct. 4 — bye week
Oct. 11 — USC 31, No. 15 Michigan 13 at Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, Calif.
Oct. 18 — No. 13 Notre Dame 34, No. 20 USC 24 at Notre Dame Stadium in South Bend, Ind. 
Oct. 25 — bye week
Nov. 1 — No. 23 USC 21, Nebraska 17 at Memorial Stadium in Lincoln, Neb.
Nov. 7 (Fri.) — No. 19 USC 38, Northwestern 17 at Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, Calif.

Nov. 15 — No. 20 Iowa vs. No. 19 USC in Los Angeles, Calif. 3:30 p.m. ET
Nov. 22 — No. 19 USC at No. 9 Oregon in Eugene, Ore. Time TBA
Nov. 29 — UCLA vs. No. 19 USC in Los Angeles, Calif. Time TBA