Lincoln Riley admits the importance of Iowa game is 'not the same' for USC

Sitting at 7-2 with three games remaining in the season, USC controls its destiny for a spot in the College Football Playoff.

The Trojans are looking at a three-game slate consisting of No. 20 Iowa, No. 9 Oregon, and UCLA to finish up the regular season. If Lincoln Riley‘s team were to win out, it would have a strong chance to make the Playoff for the first time in program history.

Ahead of this weekend’s clash against the Hawkeyes, Riley admitted the importance of the game is not the same for the opposing team. Iowa had suddenly caught CFP ambitions following its 6-2 start to the season, but its 18-16 loss to Oregon last Saturday completely wiped them out.

“We haven’t been bashful about that with our players,” Riley said about the importance of USC‘s final three games. “This game coming up this weekend is not the same. It’s not. The more you win, the more important these become and the bigger these opportunities become. So, our team is very well aware of that.”

Wins over Iowa and Oregon could propel USC to College Football Playoff

“Fortunately for us, it’s been cool to see our staff’s influence on the team in that way with experiences and everything. But also, this staff has a lot of winners and champions and people that have been that and done those things at different levels.”

USC is just one drive away from an 8-1 record with a lone loss to No. 10 Notre Dame, which would have had the Trojans more squarely in the CFP picture. It however took a one-point lead over Illinois on Sept. 27 and surrendered a game-winning drive, which gave them their first of two losses this season.

“I think for our staff to be able to share those experiences with our guys that obviously have not experienced what that feels like has been important,” Riley continued. “You can’t hide from it. You’ve got to embrace it. That doesn’t mean you’re gonna go change everything you do because of it, but you also understand it’s hard to get to this point. If you’re here, let’s go make the most of it.”

If Lincoln Riley‘s team is able to hold off the Hawkeyes at home this weekend, they will then have to travel to Oregon for a road-clash in Eugene. The Ducks have already lost a home game in conference play this season (to Indiana), so it isn’t quite impossible.