USC coach Lincoln Riley didn’t waste time getting to the point when asked about Indiana’s defense. His message was clear: the Hoosiers have built something real.
“They’ve done an outstanding job,” Riley said Tuesday after practice.
That’s not empty praise, either. Indiana has spent the 2026 season leaning on a defense that keeps it in control of games even when the offense has been slow to get going.
The numbers back up the reputation. The Hoosiers rank fourth nationally in scoring defense and fifth in total defense, allowing just 12.44 points and 259.2 yards per game.
Riley’s Trojans, meanwhile, are 7-2 and sitting at No. 18 in the latest College Football Playoff rankings after their 30-18 win over Ohio State two weeks ago. With USC preparing for Indiana, Riley pointed to the continuity that has defined the Hoosiers under Curt Cignetti and Bryant Haines, both of whom arrived in 2024.
What stands out to him most is the depth up front.
“It’ll be one of the deepest fronts we’ve played, in terms of the number of guys they have that can contribute and that are proven players at this level. They’ve got a full two-deep and then some of guys that they comfortably rotate.”
Riley also singled out the way Indiana’s linebackers and defensive backs work together on the back end. He said the Hoosiers have been difficult to move on the ground and that their coverage looks are anything but predictable.
“They’ve been tough to run the football on, they do a really nice job mixing up their coverages. I’d say it’s a good group, it’s an experienced group. You can tell they’ve played a lot of ball together and certainly they’re a group that makes you earn everything in terms of what we see on tape going into this one.”
In Other News...
Indiana Just Landed A Guard Hoosier Fans Will Want To Watch
Indiana added another notable name to its future backcourt with the signing of four-star guard Chase Branham from the class of 2027, a move that gives Hoosier fans an early reason to keep an eye on La Lumiere School. At 6-foot-4, Branham brings size for the position, and his arrival only adds to the sense that Indiana is trying to build its next wave with players who can fit the programs long-term plans.
Branham also arrives with some historical context attached, since he is now the 10th-highest ranked recruit Indiana has landed in the 247Sports era. In the schools official release, coach Darian DeVries highlighted both Branhams ability and his character, which is usually the kind of combination a staff hopes will translate well once the real work begins and the recruiting buzz gives way to what he can actually do in Bloomington. [Read more 🡒]
Lincoln Riley Just Sent Indiana A Message Before Bloomington Showdown
Lincoln Riley had plenty of praise for Indiana as USC turns its attention toward a trip to Bloomington, and the message was clear enough: this is not a matchup the Trojans can treat casually. Asked about the Hoosiers, Riley pointed to an experienced defense and the kind of coaching continuity that can make a team harder to prepare for, while also showing respect for Curt Cignettis program.
For Indiana, the compliments matter because they come with a reminder of what usually decides games at this level: which team can bring the same standard from one week to the next. Riley said consistency is the challenge, and that is exactly the sort of test the Hoosiers want in a high-profile home game, where a strong defensive identity and steady coaching should give them a chance to make USC earn everything. [Read more 🡒]
Tobi Osunsanmi May Decide Whether Indiana Can Survive USCs Attack
USC brings one of the Big Tens most dangerous passing attacks into this matchup, and Indianas best answer may come from the front line. The Trojans have leaned on quarterback Jayden Maiava to drive the offense, while the Hoosiers have built their defensive identity around getting pressure and disrupting timing before a play can fully develop.
Tobi Osunsanmi is at the center of that challenge. Indiana has to find a way to make USC uncomfortable early and often, because if Maiava settles in, the Trojans can turn a game fast through the air. The Hoosiers have shown they can defend at a high level, but this one may hinge on whether Osunsanmi and the pass rush can force USC out of rhythm before the secondary has to hold up for long stretches. [Read more 🡒]