The stakes are getting pretty high for both USC and Indiana. The two Big Ten programs meet Saturday in Bloomington in a matchup that could have significant College Football Playoff implications.

Indiana enters the weekend at 8-1 and ranked No. 9 in the latest CFP rankings, while USC sits at 7-2 and No. 18. A win would be a major addition to either team’s playoff résumé, but the consequences of a loss could be difficult to overcome.

Lincoln Riley’s Trojans are coming off an impressive 30-18 victory over Ohio State, while Curt Cignetti and the Hoosiers are looking to get their offense back on track after a 23-16 overtime win against Minnesota. Indiana’s defense has been one of the best in the country, allowing just 12.4 points per game. USC, meanwhile, has the quarterback and receiving talent to give just about any defense problems.

Here is how the A to Z Sports staff sees Saturday’s matchup playing out.

A to Z Sports Staff Predictions

Justin Churchill, A to Z Sports Oklahoma

USC 21, Indiana 14

I’m still not 100% sold on this prediction, but I can certainly see how a score like this happens. Indiana hasn’t been perfect offensively and has had moments that look pretty bad. If there’s anything we know Lincoln Riley will do, it’s put up some points. USC gets this win, and it strengthens its résumé even more, potentially moving the Trojans closer to the 12-team College Football Playoff.

Rob Gregson, A to Z Sports Alabama

USC 27, Indiana 24

I don’t think it’s a stretch to say this is the biggest game of Lincoln Riley’s career in Los Angeles. USC is still riding high after its win over Ohio State a few weeks back, but the same questions about this program remain: Can they travel east and win against another good opponent? And can they win a physical matchup? If the answer is yes, USC and Riley have a chance to make some major noise.

This Indiana team simply isn’t the same, and they have played with fire against inferior competition multiple times this year. This is the week they get burned. Give me USC and the Trojans to make a statement and get a trademark win.

Craig Smith, A to Z Sports Miami

Indiana 27, USC 20

This has become a crucial game for both of these teams based on the latest CFP rankings. IU took a bath despite being on a bye, falling five spots to No. 9. USC is at 18, and a third loss surely ends their playoff hopes.

For me, it’s a question of who do you trust more in this spot? Josh Hoover hasn’t been great recently for IU, but the Trojans away from home concern me, as we saw in their last disastrous 24-7 road loss at Wisconsin. IU and the ground game behind Turbo Richard get this done.

Tyler Forness, A to Z Sports Florida

Indiana 24, USC 19

The biggest issue for the Indiana Hoosiers this year has been getting the offense going. Massive struggles against the Ohio State Buckeyes and Minnesota Golden Gophers highlighted just that. The good news here is USC doesn’t have anything close to that. The best thing they do is get after the passer, but can they handle Indiana’s physical front?

Defensively is where Indiana is even better. If they can attack Jayden Maiava consistently, the lack of offensive production may not even matter, because USC isn’t on that level when it comes to physicality. Give me the Hoosiers, especially at home.

Ryan Roberts, A to Z Sports Notre Dame

Indiana 27, USC 20

I think this is a really difficult matchup for USC, especially playing on the road against a team that has made life miserable for opposing offenses all season. Indiana’s defensive front, led by Tobi Osunsanmi, is capable of taking over a game. Osunsanmi already has 10 sacks, and the Hoosiers have 32 sacks as a team.

That’s a major concern against Jayden Maiava, who will need time to find Trent Mosley and the rest of USC’s talented receiving corps. I also think the absence of leading Indiana running back Turbo Richard is worth watching, but Lee Beebe Jr. gives the Hoosiers another capable option in the backfield.

Ultimately, I trust Curt Cignetti and defensive coordinator Bryant Haines to have the Hoosiers better prepared for this matchup. Indiana has been a little inconsistent offensively, and Josh Hoover’s health remains something to monitor after Grant Wilson helped lead the comeback against Minnesota.

However, the home-field advantage and the defensive talent give Indiana an edge. Lincoln Riley’s offense will have some success, but I expect the Hoosiers to make enough plays up front to force a few important stops. This feels like a game where Indiana controls the tempo and finds a way to win without needing a spectacular offensive performance.

My overall take: The biggest storyline is whether USC can handle Indiana’s defensive front. Riley has the offensive firepower to make this interesting, but Cignetti has built a team that can win in multiple ways. I think the Hoosiers do enough defensively to protect their home field.

One important injury note: Indiana’s Turbo Richard has been ruled out, while Hoover is not listed on the initial availability report. Cignetti has not officially committed to a starting quarterback.