Arguably the biggest game of the Lincoln Riley era is three days away when the USC Trojans attempt to upend the Oregon Ducks this Saturday at Autzen Stadium in Eugene to keep their College Football Playoff hopes afloat.
The Trojans (8-2, 6-1 Big Ten) enter the game having won three straight, with their lone Big Ten loss coming against the Illinois Fighting Illini (7-3, 4-3 Big Ten) in late September. Their other defeat came in South Bend against Notre Dame (8-2), a team still fighting for playoff positioning.
Losses aside, Big Ten Network analyst and former Michigan Wolverines tight end Jake Butt has essentially labeled the game as a must-win for the Trojans should they hope to have a chance of being selected as a two-loss Big Ten team.
"Last week was such a gutsy win," Butt said of the Trojans' triumph against the Iowa Hawkeyes. "A heart-filled win for the Trojans. And just watching them play right now, you can see [with] Lincoln Riley, this program is turning a corner."
To solidify their case further, Butt says "help" is a necessity as the Trojans remain on the outside of the CFP picture.
"This is just a huge opportunity for the Trojans," Butt said. "Going on the road to Autzen...I think for their playoff hopes, it's gonna be about some style points. I mean, they seriously need some help."
Extra help could come in the form of losses around the conference and country, among other factors.
"Not only would they need to beat Oregon on the road, but I think they need to find a way to do it handily," Butt said.
Although the Trojans need help, a pathway into the 12-team field is there for the taking. It's up to them to execute.