USC’s 31-13 win against Michigan had some real running back room drama from the home side. RB Bryan Jackson’s injury kept him off the field for the Trojans since Week 1. A turf toe injury has sidelined the sophomore running back. He practiced during the sessions, but Lincoln Riley ruled him out in the final availability report before the Michigan game. But then, in a turn of events, starting backs Waymond Jordan and Eli Sanders both suffered injuries in that game against the Wolverines.

That’s when doctors medically cleared Jackson, and the team called on him as an emergency fill-in in the fourth quarter. He made an immediate impact, rushing five times for 35 yards and scoring a 29-yard touchdown. But the consequences became dire for the Trojans as they had to pay a fine.

“Big Ten spokesperson tells @CBSSportsCFB the conference has fined USC $5,000 for playing RB Bryan Jackson in Saturday’s game against Michigan,” CBS Sports’ Richard Johnson posted on X. “Jackson was initially listed as ‘out’ on the final availability report before the game.”

After the game, Lincoln Riley didn’t shy away from setting the record straight. “Yeah, it’s a unique situation,” Riley said postgame. “Our doctors medically cleared him, and again, it just became a wellness issue for us here. We made sure to clear him. The kid was ready to go and stepped up. That’s what you gotta have, man. You gotta have tough guys to play through stuff if you want to win at this level. You have guys that sacrifice like that for the team.” All of this comes down to the strict CFP rules. If a player is marked “out” on these reports, they are not allowed to play in that game.

Officials modeled this system after the NFL and SEC to clear up any confusion about who can suit up. The big reason behind this push is fairness and integrity. Teams that fail to comply can face serious penalties, starting at $25,000, which increase with repeated violations, which means that the Trojans got off easy. It’s mainly because the doctors cleared up Jackson, and it was an emergency with all the injuries piling up.

“The game plays out, we have a couple of injuries that you obviously never expect to happen,” Riley continued. “We were able to get into communication with the league office and explain the situation.”

The Trojans’ running back room looks really shaky as they move closer to their major rivalry game at South Bend against the Irish. Two key backs, Waymond Jordan and Eli Sanders, both went down against Michigan. On top of that, Jordan suffered a serious ankle injury that requires surgery and will likely sideline him for up to six weeks.

The RB deficiency in Los Angeles

Waymond Jordan’s injury against Michigan was a harsh blow for the USC Trojans. The brutal leg injury is supposedly going to keep him benched for almost 6 weeks. But before limping off the field, Jordan had already made his contribution. He racked up 39 yards on 11 carries, adding to his season total of 576 yards and five touchdowns. The best part? The Big Ten ranks him among its top rushers, and he holds the No. 17 spot nationally.

Jordon is a JUCO transfer who quickly became the go-to back for USC this year. His physical style and steady production gave the Trojans a reliable weapon on the ground. That’s why losing him mid-game sent a ripple through the offense, as it created immediate chaos for the coaching staff. And then, as the Trojans got over this void, another RB, Eli Sanders, also went down with an injury.

Now, that strike meant digging deep into the depth chart. That’s when King Miller, a walk-on listed third on the depth chart, stepped up in a big way against Michigan. He rushed for a game-high 158 yards and even scored a touchdown. The Trojans haven’t delivered that kind of performance since 1994. His explosive runs, including a 49-yard sprint and another 47-yard burst, saved the day for USC’s offense.

Coach Lincoln Riley was visibly impressed, calling Miller “huge” in a moment where the Trojans needed someone to fill the gap.