USC may have found the kind of opening that can decide a game like this: a crack in Oregon’s secondary that still hasn’t been sealed.
The Ducks are dealing with unresolved position battles on defense, and that uncertainty gives Lincoln Riley and USC something to target. Oregon’s back end is still sorting out who fits where, and that matters because the Trojans’ path to success runs straight through that part of the field.
New defensive coordinator Chris Hampton laid out the challenge of building around what he has.
"I think you always think about who are your best players, how do you highlight their strengths, how do you highlight their deficiencies?' (new defensive coordinator Chris) Hampton said.
"And you look around the country to see what other people are doing with guys similar to your skill sets, similar to your talents. What's the new trend in college football, in the NFL?
So each and every year, you're looking to grow, and we're looking to expand our defense.'
One possibility for Oregon is a return to its three-safety look, with Perich serving as the "umbrella" across the defense and Aaron Flowers plus another young safety working to bracket the outside. That setup would depend on how the battle at nickel plays out, and that competition is still very much alive. Trey McNutt, Peyton Woodyard, Jett Washington and Xavier Lherisse are all in the mix.
That nickel decision could shape how aggressive Hampton is with the secondary in 2026.
For USC, the message is simple: if the offensive line can hold up against Oregon’s defensive front, the Trojans should be able to work the Ducks’ secondary over and start pulling the defense apart. This is the kind of matchup where wasted possessions can sink you fast. The offense with the steadiest execution will have the edge, and USC has to take advantage of every soft spot Oregon hasn’t closed yet.
In Other News...
Caleb Williams Headlines A Loaded All-USC NFL Dream Team
USCs NFL footprint has become so deep that building a dream team out of former Trojans is less a novelty than a reminder of how often the program has fed Sundays. The piece leans into that history by mixing the schools long draft track record with the production of its current and recent pros, then sorting through the names that have actually mattered at the next level. From the skill positions to the line, there is no shortage of candidates, which is part of what makes the exercise feel more like an argument than a gimmick.
Caleb Williams sits at the center of it, and not just because of his pedigree. The discussion around him is tied to how he has handled the jump to the NFL and how his postseason work has added another layer to his profile, while the rest of the roster debate stretches across a loaded backfield and a receiver group that reflects USCs ability to keep producing playmakers. Even the offensive line conversation has enough current and former Trojans in it to make the final choices feel crowded, which is exactly the kind of problem USC would want to have. [Read more 🡒]
ESPN Just Gave Ronnie Lott A Rare Place In College Football History
Ronnie Lott has long been part of USCs defensive lore, and ESPNs college football writers have now put him in a rare historical lane by elevating him above every other player to wear No. 42. The former Trojan safety was a centerpiece of the 1978 national title team and helped USC win two Rose Bowls, building the kind of college rsum that still resonates whenever the programs all-time greats come up.
Lotts senior season only sharpened that legacy, as he finished by leading the country in interceptions and capped his USC career with a reputation for making game-changing plays. His college success was just the start of a career that carried into Canton-worthy territory with the San Francisco 49ers, but this latest nod is a reminder of how much of his legend was forged in cardinal and gold. [Read more 🡒]