The Oregon Ducks got the bounce-back they needed against Portland State, rolling to an 84-0 win after the upset loss to Oklahoma State. But Saturday’s trip to face No. 12 USC is a different animal entirely, and it looks like the kind of game that will tell us a lot about Dan Lanning’s team.
Oregon is still dealing with some issues that showed up in the loss to the Cowboys. The offense looked out of rhythm at times, the defense gave up 554 total yards, and the penalties keep piling up at an ugly rate of 8.0 per game, which ranks No. 105 in the FBS. Even so, the Ducks are slight favorites on the road, listed by DraftKings as 3-point favorites over the Trojans.
If Oregon is going to leave Los Angeles with a win, the pressure starts with Dante Moore. Through three games, the quarterback is completing 68.5 percent of his passes and averaging 283 yards and 3 touchdowns per game. Oregon has scored 30 points in every game so far, but the early offense has not always come out cleanly, especially against Boise State and Oklahoma State.
That matters here. A sluggish start against USC could put the Ducks in a hole they can’t climb out of, and Moore will need to help set the tone with a few efficient drives right away. USC’s defensive front has the ability to make life uncomfortable in the pocket, so Oregon’s run game could be just as important early on.
That brings the spotlight to the Ducks’ offensive line, which has a big job ahead of it. USC’s front of Jide Abasiri, Luke Wafle, Kameryn Crawford, and Alex VanSumeren gives the Trojans real disruption potential.
Oregon has important pieces at tackle with Zaire Addison and Fox Crader, but center Iapani "Poncho" Laloulu stands out as the leader up front, and protecting the middle is the biggest priority. If the Ducks can create success running between the tackles, it would ease the burden on Moore.
Defensively, Oregon has a few names that can swing the game, starting with cornerback Ify Obidegwu. Brandon Finney Jr. is already a known commodity after his breakout freshman season, but the Ducks have been experimenting with Finney at nickel, which makes Obidegwu even more central to the matchup.
USC receiver Trent Mosley is dealing with an injury, but the Trojans still have plenty for Oregon to handle. Tanook Hines, Kayden Dixon-Wyatt, and tight end Mark Bowman all require attention, and Obidegwu may be asked to do a little of everything.
Na'eem Offord could also be in line for a breakout if Finney is indeed spending time at nickel, but Obidegwu’s role remains pivotal no matter how Oregon lines up. He has to help on the outside and also be ready to contribute against the run.
Another key piece is outside linebacker Matayo Uiagalelei, who, along with Oregon’s defensive line, has flashed dominance in 2026 but not always with the consistency the Ducks need. The challenge is straightforward: make USC one-dimensional again.
The Trojans rushed for just 52 yards as a team in the 2025 meeting, and if Oregon can bottle up the ground game again, it would go a long way toward controlling the night. Uiagalelei had one sack and two tackles for loss in that game, and Oregon needs that kind of disruption again in week 4.
There’s also a personnel note worth watching on offense. Tight end Jamari Johnson is questionable with an undisclosed injury, and his status could matter quite a bit.
If he’s available, he gives Moore another reliable target and adds value as a blocker in the run game. That becomes even more important with wide receiver Jeremiah McClellan sidelined by injury.
Oregon still has Dakorien Moore and Evan Stewart, both capable of changing a game, but Johnson brings a different kind of presence, especially near the goal line.
The Ducks will release their final injury report two hours before kickoff, and the game is set for 4:30 p.m. PT on Saturday, Sept. 26.
In Other News...
USCs Upset Shot Vs Oregon May Hinge On One Injury Question
The injury reports are in ahead of Oregons conference game with USC, and both sides are dealing with absences that could shape how the night unfolds. The Ducks will be without Jeremiah McClellan, Trent Ferguson, Brayden Platt, and Simeon Price, thinning out depth in areas they would prefer to keep intact this late in the season.
USCs list is just as notable, with Jahkeem Stewart and Trent Mosley among the Trojans dealing with injuries and several others tagged questionable or probable. For a matchup that already carries upset intrigue, availability may end up mattering as much as scheme, and the Trojans chances of making this one interesting could come down to who is able to answer the bell when kickoff arrives. [Read more 🡒]
USC Heads Into Oregon Showdown With One Key Availability Twist
USC heads into Saturdays matchup with Oregon carrying a familiar kind of late-week uncertainty, as the latest Big Ten availability report lists several Trojans across the out, doubtful and questionable designations. The game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum carries plenty of weight on its own, and the Ducks will be watching the injury picture as closely as anything else before kickoff on NBC.
Lincoln Riley also offered an update on defensive tackle Jahkeem Stewart, saying the freshman is making progress in his recovery but still does not have a definite return date. For Oregon, that leaves one more variable in a game where the Ducks already know theyll need to prepare for a Trojans defense that could look different depending on how the final availability calls break. [Read more 🡒]
Oregon's USC Game Could Put Andrew Olesh In A Huge Spotlight
With Kendre Harrison and Jamari Johnson both listed as questionable for Oregons matchup with USC, the Ducks may need to lean on a young tight end room in a game that already carries plenty of weight. Dan Lanning said he expects both to play, but the uncertainty keeps Andrew Olesh very much in the conversation, and the redshirt freshman has already shown he can handle real snaps with two starts this season.
Olesh has quietly turned himself into a credible next man up, with noticeable growth as both a pass blocker and a receiver. If the Ducks end up needing him in a bigger role against USC, it would be another meaningful step in his development and a chance to earn even more trust in one of Oregons biggest games of the season. [Read more 🡒]