BLOOMINGTON — Indiana football faces a must-win game Saturday as it hosts Southern Cal.

The Hoosiers (8-1, 5-1 Big Ten) dropped five spots to No. 9 in the latest CFP rankings. But, IU has everything in front of it as winning out − beginning today and games at Washington and vs Purdue − would place the Hoosiers in the Big Ten championship game, a data point the selection committee has typically not penalized teams for.

Coach Curt Cignetti played it coy on whether Josh Hoover or backup Grant Wilson would start at quarterback today. However, Hoover was not listed on the availability report, meaning he will dress for the game. Whoever does should have a good opportunity against a Trojans pass defense that allows 221.2 yards per game (13th in the conference) and 13 touchdowns to three interceptions.

Lincoln Riley's USC (7-2, 4-2), though, has confidence coming off a 30-18 win over Ohio State before it, like IU, had its idle week. Quarterback Jayden Maiava is tops in the league in yards per game at 280.4 among active quarterbacks. He has 2,524 yards passing and 20 touchdowns to five interceptions with a plethora of weapons.

Follow along for live score update, in-game analysis, highlights, postgame reaction and more (continues below gallery).

Watch USC-IU on Fubo!

Indiana vs USC score today | Hoosiers 0, Trojans 0, Q1

RECORDS: USC 7-2, 4-2; Indiana 8-1, 5-1.

BOX SCORE, PLAYER STATS

Who is the Indiana football coach? Who is the USC football coach?

12:30 PM ET, November 14 2026

  • Curt Cignetti is in his third season at Indiana, with a 35-3 record, a national championship in the 2025 season and two National Coach of the Year honors. He also coached two seasons at James Madison, where he went 19-4.
  • Lincoln Riley is in his fifth season at USC, with a 42-20 record. He previously coached five years at Oklahoma, going 55-10.

Indiana football injury report vs. USC

12:15 PM ET, November 14 2026

  • Indiana players who are out: RB Turbo Richard, DL Kellan Wyatt, OL Joe Brunner; questionable: LB Rolijah Hardy; probable: DB A.J. Haris.
  • USC players who are out: WR Terrell Anderson, WR Corey Simms, S Kendarius Reddick, S Trestin Castro, LB Taylor "Taybo" Johnson, LB Roman Marchetti, OL Kilian O'Connor, OL Hayden Treter; questionable: TE Walter Matthews.

Will Indiana beat USC? Indiana football predictions vs. USC

12:01 PM ET, November 14 2026

  • Zach Osterman, IndyStar, Indiana 31-20: "I think Indiana gets right in this week offensively, thanks to the bye week. The defense does some of what Wisconsin did to USC’s offense, and IU gets another win on the board."

ESPN 'College GameDay' picks Indiana-USC

12:00 PM ET, November 14 2026

Here is how ESPN "College GameDay" picked USC-Indiana - the "most significant game if you want chaos in the Big Ten" host Rece Davis said.

Desmond Howard: I said that Indiana was running out of fumes getting to that bye week. That bye week was their gas station, I think they're going to come out refreshed, tank is going to be on full, I'm going with the Hoosiers.

Nick Saban: I think USC finally wins a game in the Eastern Time Zone. I'm going to take USC pulling the upset.

He then turns to Pat McAfee and says, "just because I know you're going to pick Indiana."

Pat McAfee: Yeah, that's why. Curt Cignetti has won 24 out of 25 and it hasn't been pretty in any of them. Even a 60-yard field goal to send it to overtime against the Minnesota Gophers, but 9.5-point favorite, this one stinks. This (spread) should be much closer with how Indiana's performed. I'll take Indiana -9.5. I like them to get a big-time dub and continue their journey to the College Football Playoff.

Ian Johnson (former Boise State running back): Never thought I'd have a chance to agree with coach Nick Saban. I am picking USC to get this one done.

McAfee: Any reason?

Johnson: Because I never get to agree with coach Saban.

Kirk Herbstreit: I'm going to agree with you. I'm going to go with USC. I agree with coach. I think they go into the Eastern Time Zone; Indiana's only scored 17 points a game in the last four weeks, that's their average score, I think USC is going to outscore them today.

McAfee: Grant Wilson might be that QB there.

Is Indiana favored vs. USC? IU football betting odds

11:45 AM ET, November 14 2026

(via BetMGM)

  • Favorite: Indiana by 10 points
  • Over/under: 50.5 total points
  • Moneyline: Indiana -375, USC +300

What radio station is IU football on? How to listen to Indiana football vs. USC today

11:30 AM ET, November 14 2026

Radio: 105.1 FM in Bloomington, 93.5 and 107.5 FM in Indianapolis, 710 AM in Los Angeles, SiriusXM Channels 84 (IU feed) and 85

Where to stream Indiana football tonight? Where can I watch Indiana football vs. USC?

11:15 AM ET, November 14 2026

Watch IU football with a free Fubo trial

What channel is the IU football game on today? Where can I watch Indiana football vs. USC?

11:01 AM ET, November 14 2026

TV: CBS, with Brad Nessler (play-by-play), Charles Davis (analysis) and Jenny Dell (sideline reporting)

Watch IU football with a free Fubo trial

What time is the Indiana football game vs. USC today? When is kickoff for the IU football game?

10:55 AM ET, November 14 2026

IU is scheduled to play USC at 3:30 p.m. ET Saturday, Nov. 14, 2026, at Memorial Stadium in Bloomington, Indiana.

Indiana football tickets

10:45 AM ET, November 14 2026

Buy IU football tickets on StubHub

Indiana football merch

10:35 AM ET, November 14 2026

Buy Indiana football gear from Fanatics

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: USC-Indiana football score today: Will Josh Hoover play today? Where to watch USC-IU game

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Source: Yahoo Sports