Oregon Faces USC
No. 20 Oregon Visits No. 12 USC in High-Stakes Big Ten Opener
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No. 20 Oregon visits No. 12 USC in a high-stakes Big Ten opener with College Football Playoff implications; Oregon is favored by 3.5 points despite playing at the Coliseum. Oregon is coming off a loss to Oklahoma State and an 84-0 win over Portland State, while undefeated USC follows a 42-35 win over Rutgers. USC has several injury concerns: Corey Simms is out, freshman Trent Mosley is doubtful, defensive tackle Jahkeem Stewart and safety Alex Graham are questionable, and running back Deshonne Redeaux is probable. Oregon will be without receiver Jeremiah McClellan, while tight ends Jamari Johnson and Andrew Olesh are probable; USC will look to pressure quarterback Dante Moore, who has struggled under pressure behind an unsettled offensive line. Penn State receiver Koby Howard, the team’s leading receiver with 344 yards and three total touchdowns, is expected to miss an extended stretch but not the season, including the October 10 game against USC. Michigan running back Jordan Marshall plans to play against Iowa barring a setback, though backups may see more work as he manages a lingering ailment.
Key Points
1
The matchup is the 65th between the programs. USC leads the all-time series 38-24-2, though Oregon has won the teams’ last four meetings.
2
Oregon coach Dan Lanning described the rivalry as “as intense as it gets.”
3
Oregon’s Dante Moore had faced 20 pressures this season, and his pressure-to-sack rate had risen from 16% in 2025 to 30% in 2026.
4
Oregon’s spread moved from 2.5-point to 3.5-point favorite on game day, crossing the key three-point margin; the article also reported a 61.5-point over/under.
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