When: Saturday, 4:30 p.m.

Where: Coliseum

TV/Radio: NBC (Ch. 4)/710 AM

Line: Oregon by 3 points

USC: OUT: WR Corey Simms, S Kendarius Riddick, LB Taylor Johnson, OL Kilian O’Connor; DOUBTFUL: WR Trent Mosley; QUESTIONABLE: DL Jahkeem Stewart, RB Deshonne Redeaux, S Alex Graham, LB Jaydn Walker; PROBABLE: LB Elijah Newby.

Oregon: OUT: WR Jeremiah McClellan, RB Simeon Price, LB Brayden Platt, OL Trent Ferguson; DOUBTFUL: WR Jalen Lott; QUESTIONABLE: TE Jamari Johnson, TE Kendre Harrison; PROBABLE: DB Carl Williams IV.

What’s at stake? Essentially, a potential spot in the College Football Playoff. After a Week 2 loss to Oklahoma State, Oregon needs to run the table throughout its Big Ten schedule to ensure a spot in the 12-team field. USC is about to embark on a stretch of six games, including four opponents ranked inside the top 20 of the latest AP Top 25 poll, bookended with a back-to-back against Ohio State and at Indiana. Assuming the Trojans drop one of those two games, they must beat the Ducks to make the CFP. More so, the Trojans haven’t defeated the Ducks since Nov. 5, 2016, when Clay Helton was at the helm. Not only do Oregon and USC compete on the field, but the Ducks have made Southern California a hotbed for their recruiting base, and it’s important USC protects its turf. All of this is to say, the Trojans have to be the hungrier team. Saturday’s game is a perfect spot for Jayden Maiava’s Heisman Trophy case and NFL stock to surge. If he can outperform Oregon quarterback Dante Moore, who could have been a top pick had he declared for the 2026 NFL Draft, then scouts and voters will have a direct comparison and measuring stick for Maiava. The senior has displayed raw talent, but if he proves it against Moore, who left UCLA for Eugene after one season, the staying power is stronger.

Who’s better? Oregon and USC are evenly matched, mirroring one another’s strengths and weaknesses. Each team is led by a dynamic quarterback on the fringe of the Heisman conversation who lead with their arm but can make plays with their feet. Maiava and Moore will each play on Sundays in the future, and this Saturday’s matchup will help determine how much those NFL teams value them. With their play this season, the quarterback competition is a wash between Oregon and USC. Additionally, they each have defensive fronts that entered the 2026 season with high promise, but have underwhelmed. USC allowed 168 rushing yards and two touchdowns against Rutgers, and Oregon couldn’t get any pressure on Oklahoma State’s Drew Mestemaker in a 39-31 loss in Week 2. USC and Oregon each have injuries to their top receivers as Trent Mosley is doubtful because of a knee injury and Jeremiah McClellan is out after breaking his foot in warmups last week.

Prediction: USC 42, Oregon 41. Because of the equalities and stakes laid out above, this game will be tight. The defenses are weaker than expected so points will be scored. As it goes down to the wire, coaching will determine the outcome. Dan Lanning has outsmarted Lincoln Riley before, and with Oregon’s backs against the wall, he could do it again. But the nod goes to USC because of Riley and its coordinators as Oregon’s in-house promotions, offensive coordinator Drew Mehringer and defensive coordinator Chris Hampton, haven’t looked the part.