On Dec. 19, the College Football Playoff will kick off for its 12th iteration since being introduced in 2014 — and, for the 12th straight year, USC will not be among its participants.

The No. 15 Trojans (8-3, 6-2) fell to No. 7 Oregon (10-1, 7-1) in a crushing 42-27 defeat Saturday afternoon, giving them a third loss on the season that all but guarantees elimination from the 12-team CFP field.

While Oregon’s pass defense ranks as one of the best in the country, USC racked up 330 yards in the air — by far the most given up by the Ducks all year — behind a 25-for-43 passing, three-touchdown performance from redshirt junior quarterback Jayden Maiava.

Instead, it was the run game that the Ducks shut down: The Trojans mustered just 52 rushing yards overall, their fewest in a game this season. Redshirt freshman running back King Miller was limited to just 15 yards on 30 carries, marking a season-worst 2-yard average.

Though junior wide receivers Makai Lemon and Ja’Kobi Lane have established themselves as Maiava’s primary targets throughout the season, it was freshman wide receiver Tanook Hines who stole the show Saturday, breaking out for 141 yards on six receptions to go along with a touchdown.

However, while Lemon picked up just 34 yards on seven completions, he certainly made them count, scoring two of USC’s touchdowns and adding his first career passing touchdown after connecting with Hines on a trick play in the second quarter.

On the defensive end, the Trojans were incapable of stopping Oregon’s relentless attack, giving up their most points in a game this year. Redshirt sophomore quarterback Dante Moore outdueled Maiava with a far more efficient game, throwing for 257 yards and two touchdowns on 22-of-30 passing.

Moore connected with five different Ducks for 20 or more yards, but junior tight end Kenyon Sadiq made the biggest impact with 72 yards and both receiving touchdowns. On the ground, redshirt senior running back Noah Whittington and freshman running back Jordon Davison combined for 154 yards on 32 carries, each bringing in a touchdown of their own.

Both teams were plagued by penalties; USC was called for eight, including three on unsportsmanlike conduct, and Oregon received 11 penalties of its own for a loss of 130 yards.

While the flags certainly hurt the Trojans, they were killed by missed opportunities: In a stretch of three straight drives between the second and third quarters, USC gave up possession on two Maiava interceptions and had a missed field goal from redshirt freshman kicker Ryon Sayeri — just his second failed kick all season.

With their playoff dreams extinguished, the Trojans will return home for their regular-season finale against crosstown rival UCLA (3-7, 3-4) on Saturday — a game that now carries much less weight than USC would have hoped.