The vibes are high at the L.A. Coliseum this weekend as No. 12 USC gears up for a massive Big Ten clash against No. 20 Oregon. The Trojans are 4-0 and hunting for a playoff spot, but they have a massive hurdle to clear: Oregon has had their number lately, winning four of the last five in Los Angeles and eight of the last 10 overall.
The stakes are real
Oregon enters the game at 2-1 after an early loss to Oklahoma State, and the pressure is on. The Ducks are currently holding the longest active FBS streak with 11 straight road wins in conference play, and they haven't dropped a conference opener since 2018. If USC pulls off the W, it’ll be a statement for their postseason push, but the Ducks are fighting to keep their own CFP hopes alive after back-to-back appearances.
Star power and defensive grit
USC quarterback Jayden Maiava is lowkey cooking this season. He leads the FBS with 12 passing touchdowns and has a massive 11-1 record in home starts. On the other side, the Trojans' re-built defense—now led by defensive coordinator Gary Patterson—is going to be tested. While they shut out Fresno State in the opener, they’ve been leaking points lately, giving up 25+ in three of their four games. Facing an Oregon squad averaging 49.7 points per game, the defense needs to be locked in.
Why it matters
This is a classic rivalry matchup between former Pac-12 powerhouses that now defines the competitive landscape of the Big Ten. With both teams featuring high-powered offenses, the over-under is set at 61.5, and experts are leaning toward a high-scoring thriller. It’s giving main character energy for the entire conference.
