A big test awaits USC as its first ranked opponent of the season flocks to Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, giving the Trojans a chance to prove they belong among the top teams in college football. 

High off a four-game winning streak, Head Coach Lincoln Riley and his No. 12 USC (4-0, 1-0 Big Ten) team are set to see No. 20 Oregon (2-1) Saturday. Much of the discussion going into the weekend’s game surrounds the expectations for this team. 

After four seasons, Riley has a record of 6-14 against ranked opponents and has yet to help this team break into the College Football Playoff.

Now, this team has a shot to do just that. Both teams have an opportunity to showcase their abilities, led by powerhouse offenses. The Trojans will have to overcome some hiccups in this history-filled faceoff with a sold-out crowd.

“It’s going to be an electric atmosphere,” Riley said in a post-practice news conference Tuesday. “I know our crowd, our fan base, is really excited for this game. They need to come in here, get behind our team, be loud, and this oughta be an electric place to play on Saturday afternoon.” 

What winning means for both teams

While USC is 38-24-2 against Oregon all time, the Ducks have built up a four-game winning streak in recent years. The Trojans have not come out on top since 2016, when then-redshirt freshman quarterback Sam Darnold put on a clinic for a dominant 45-20 victory.

For USC, winning would mean extending its momentum and winning streak to five while also putting an end to a period of Oregon dominance. Still, the Ducks are hungry.

Oregon recently slaughtered Portland State University (0-4, 0-1 Big Sky) in an 84-0 shutout in response to its upset loss in the previous week: Oklahoma State (2-1) pulled off a 39-31 victory, causing the Ducks to suffer their earliest loss since 2022. For Oregon, winning would mean getting back on track with a ranked win.

“It’s two good teams, two really good programs going at it,” Riley said. “This game should have a lot riding on it and be important. It’s important to the fanbases. It’s important to college football.”

Looking at a potential offensive slugfest

Heading into this weekend, USC’s offense has been the star of the show. The squad is averaging 43 points, 175.5 rushing yards and 324.75 passing yards per game. They also control the tempo, with an average time of possession per game greater than their opponents’ by just over 8 minutes. The Trojans are ranked 19th nationally in total offense.

As for the Ducks, Oregon is ranked 17th in total offense, averaging nearly 50 points per game. While their rushing yards are slightly lower than USC’s, at 166 per game, their 340 passing yards per game could be a potential problem for a Trojan defense that allowed 277 passing yards last week against Rutgers (0-3, 0-1 Big Ten).

“We got to focus in on it more and trust each other more,” redshirt senior cornerback Jontez Williams said Tuesday at a post-practice news conference.

Star redshirt senior quarterback Jayden Maiava leads the nation with 1,173 passing yards and 12 touchdowns, while only throwing one interception in four games.

“I think this is the most confident [Maiava] I’ve seen in the three years I’ve been around him,” redshirt junior offensive lineman Elijah Paige said Tuesday at a post-practice news conference.

Despite success in the air, Maiava has not been one to use his legs this season, with a net negative two rushing yards and only one rushing touchdown on nine attempts. Instead, redshirt sophomore running back King Miller has been the key weapon on the ground, rushing for 338 yards with three touchdowns. 

Maiava has spread the wealth among pass catchers, as the Trojans have five wide receivers with over 100 receiving yards. On Saturday, however, he could be without two of his top three receivers.

Freshman wide receiver Kayden Dixon-Wyatt heads the team with 258 receiving yards, scoring two touchdowns. Leading the team in touchdowns with five is freshman wide receiver Trent Mosley, who is currently listed as doubtful on USC’s injury report. Third in receiving yards for the Trojans is sophomore wide receiver Corey Simms, who is out on the injury report.

On the opposite sideline, senior quarterback Dante Moore orchestrates the offense with 849 passing yards, nine touchdowns and no interceptions. On the ground, sophomore running back Jordon Davison leads the rushing attack with 194 yards and four touchdowns. 

Graduate wide receiver Evan Stewart, who has the highest receiving yards for the Ducks with 222, and sophomore wide receiver Dakorien Moore, who leads the team with three touchdowns, are among Dante Moore’s favorite targets.

On the defensive end

Defensively, USC has some talent, with redshirt junior linebacker Deven Bryant, who transferred from Washington (3-0), leading the team with 20 total tackles. 

Meanwhile, junior defensive tackle Jide Abasiri leads with 3.5 tackles for loss for 14 total yards. Freshman All-American and current sophomore defensive tackle Jahkeem Stewart could be a game-changer if he returns during the matchup, despite being listed as questionable on the injury report.

For Oregon, junior defensive back Koi Perich leads the team in total tackles with 16, and former Trojan, fifth-year defensive lineman Bear Alexander follows closely with 15. Senior outside linebacker Matayo Uiagalelei leads the Ducks in both tackles for loss and sacks, with 2.5 for 15 yards and 2 for 15 yards, respectively.

“They fly around, and they’re a really athletic defense,” Jordan said Tuesday in a post-practice news conference. “They have a few weaknesses and a few strengths, and I think we’re just going to try to go in and just play our game and attack everything we can.”

USC faces Oregon Saturday at 4:30 p.m. at the Coliseum.