Oregon Ducks Vs USC
The Oregon Ducks begin Big Ten play with one of their biggest tests of the 2026 season when they travel to Los Angeles to face the No. 12 USC Trojans on Saturday night. The Ducks enters the matchup ranked No. 20 in the AP Top 25 with a 2-1 record, while USC is undefeated at 4-0. The game features two explosive offenses and a highly anticipated quarterback matchup between Oregon’s Dante Moore and USC’s Jayden Maiava.
Oregon Ducks Enters Big Ten Play
Oregon is coming off an 84-0 win over Portland State, but the Ducks have had slow start to the season. Oregon opened with a 34-27 victory over Boise State before falling 39-31 to Oklahoma State.Through three games, the Ducks are averaging 49.7 points and 501.3 total yards per game. Oregon has been especially effective through the air, averaging 340.7 passing yards per game.Dante Moore has been a major reason for the Ducks offensive success. The quarterback has completed 68.5% of his passes for 849 yards, nine touchdowns and zero interceptions. Moore will face a much tougher test against USC after throwing four touchdowns against Portland State. Injures will always slow down an offense as starting WR Jeremiah McClellan is out indefinitely with a broken foot. But Oregon also has plenty of weapons around him. Evan Stewart has 15 receptions for 222 yards and two touchdowns, while running back Jordon Davison has recorded 194 rushing yards and four touchdowns.
Undefeated USC
USC has opened the season with four straight wins and enters the matchup ranked No. 12 nationally. The Trojans have scored at least 39 points in every game and are averaging 43 points and 500.3 total yards per game. USC’s latest victory came against Rutgers, with the Trojans winning 42-35 on the road. Quarterback Jayden Maiava threw for 277 yards and two touchdowns in the victory.Maiava has been one of the nation’s most productive quarterbacks through the first four games. He has thrown for 1,173 yards, 12 touchdowns and just one interception while completing 75.7% of his passes.That creates an intriguing quarterback matchup between Maiava and Moore. Both quarterbacks have been extremely efficient, but Maiava enters with more passing yards and touchdowns.
Key Matchup: Oregon Offense Vs USC Defense
Oregon’s passing attack will be one of the biggest factors in this game. The Ducks are averaging more than 340 passing yards per game and have several receivers capable of making explosive plays.USC’s defense is allowing 317.5 yards per game and 22.8 points per game. The Trojans have also allowed opponents to convert 38.1% of their third downs. For Oregon, protecting Moore and staying ahead of the chains will be important. The Ducks are also 100% in the red zone this season, making their opportunities inside the 20 especially important.
Dante Moore Vs Jayden Maiava
The quarterback battle could be the defining matchup of Oregon vs. USC.Maiava has been one of the nation’s most productive quarterbacks through the first four games. He has thrown for 1,173 yards, 12 touchdowns and one interception while completing 75.7% of his passes. His 12 passing touchdowns lead the country. Moore has been more careful with the football, throwing nine touchdowns without an interception. The two quarterbacks also have experience against each other, with Maiava throwing for 306 yards and three touchdowns against Oregon last season. That makes Saturday’s matchup particularly intriguing: Maiava has been more explosive statistically, while Moore has yet to throw an interception this season.
Oregon Vs USC Game History
Dan Lanning is 2-0 VS USC. USC leads the all-time series, but Oregon has dominated the recent meetings. The Ducks have won four straight against the Trojans, including a 42-27 victory last season. Saturday’s game continues one of the sport’s longtime West Coast rivalries, now as a Big Ten matchup. With two ranked teams, two explosive offenses and two quarterbacks playing at a high level, Oregon vs. USC is one of the biggest games on the Week 4 college football schedule.
