USC’s first real stress test arrives Saturday night, and the spotlight is aimed squarely at the defense.
No. 12 USC heads into its matchup with No.
20 Oregon coming off a messy Big Ten opener against Rutgers, a game that was supposed to be a comfortable cruise but turned into a 42-35 escape for Lincoln Riley’s team. The Trojans were expected to roll, but instead they spent the night looking rattled and hearing plenty of criticism afterward.
The biggest concern now is obvious: can USC slow down Oregon’s offense?
That question hangs over everything after Rutgers piled up 460 total yards against the Trojans and kept a nearly 24-point favorite, per DraftKings, from separating until the final margin was just a touchdown. USC’s defense drew most of the heat on social media, with plenty of the blame directed at Riley’s group for its road performance and others pointing at defensive coordinator Gary Patterson for a unit that never really settled in.
Rutgers found plenty of room in the middle of the field, especially on slant routes. KJ Duff hurt USC with 86 yards and a touchdown, and late in the fourth quarter Vernon Allen III was left wide open on a slant for another score. The Trojans also struggled to get any real pressure, finishing with just one sack on Dylan Lonergan.
That pass rush will matter even more against Oregon quarterback Dante Moore.
Moore and the Ducks are coming off a much-needed response after their shocking upset in Stillwater against Oklahoma State in Week 2. Against Portland State, Oregon exploded for a modern-era program record 84 points.
Moore didn’t start fast against the Cowboys, but he settled in and helped pull the game within one score, throwing two touchdowns. He still hasn’t thrown an interception this season, which gives Patterson and USC a clear target on Saturday night.
The Ducks’ receiving group is rolling too. Oregon’s wideouts combined for seven receiving touchdowns against the Vikings, with Messiah Hampton accounting for two. The ground game was just as overwhelming, with Oregon’s running backs piling up 273 yards and five touchdowns.
There is at least one encouraging note for USC: none of Oregon’s running backs has topped 100 rushing yards this season. That opens a door for the Trojans’ front to try to shut down the run and force Dan Lanning and Moore to lean on the pass.
USC’s own secondary made plays against Rutgers, with safeties Prophet Brown and Christian Pierce each grabbing an interception. But the Trojans know Saturday will demand more than a couple of turnovers. Last year, Oregon beat USC 42-27 in Eugene, and the Trojans enter this one looking to snap a four-game losing streak to the Ducks.
For Riley and USC, this feels like more than just another conference game. It is the kind of night that says a lot about what this team really is.
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Jayden Maiavas play has slipped, and Waymond Jordans role has shrunk at the same time, leaving USC to sort out what the attack is supposed to look like in a tougher environment. The defense has its own issues to clean up, too, with the run front and the secondary both showing the kind of inconsistency that could become a problem quickly on the road in Eugene. [Read more 🡒]