No. 7 Oregon looks to keep a strong hold on their College Football Playoff hopes, while No. 15 Southern California is in a must-win situation to keep its CFP aspirations alive.
It means plenty is at stake on Saturday afternoon when the Ducks host the Trojans in Eugene, Ore.
Oregon (9-1, 6-1 Big Ten) moved up one spot in the CFP rankings after an easy 42-13 home win over Minnesota last Friday.
Southern California (8-2, 6-1) ascended in the recent rankings following its comeback win in rainy conditions against Iowa.
The Ducks got back a key piece to their offense versus the Golden Gophers with the return of tight end Kenyon Sadiq. He is Oregon’s leader in catches (30) and touchdown receptions (six).
The Ducks hope this week to get wide receiver Dakorien Moore back from an undisclosed injury after two games. He leads the team with 443 receiving yards.
Oregon is running the ball with a lot of success. Freshman Jordon Davison has five touchdowns in the last four games and 12 on the season, and Noah Whittington leads the team in rushing yards with 623 and is averaging 8.2 yards per carry.
Defensively, the Ducks are holding opponents to 13.7 points per game.
“The challenge is fun, and this is certainly a team that’s a challenge,” Oregon head coach Dan Lanning said of playing USC. “Obviously when (ESPN) ‘College GameDay’ is coming to see you twice, there’s a reason. And it speaks volumes about our fanbase, it speaks volumes about our program and their program as well. When you get opportunities like that, it’s something you want to take advantage of.”
USC’s defense hasn’t always been tough on the road this season, and the Trojans face a difficult challenge trying to limit Oregon’s prolific offense. But the Trojans certainly have the offense to keep up with the Ducks, with two standout wide receivers in Makai Lemon and Ja’Kobi Lane as well as improving quarterback Jayden Maiava.
Oregon has been tough against the run of late, so USC could look to go to the air more with the Big Ten’s top passing offense at 298.1 yards per game.
Lemon has been one of the country’s best receivers. He leads the Big Ten in receiving yards per game (109) and receptions per game (7.1).
Maiava leads the Big Ten in passing yards (2,868) and passing yards per game (286.8).
On defense, USC has not allowed opponents to score more than three points in the second half in each of its last three games. But neither of those three teams (Nebraska, Northwestern, Iowa) have the Ducks’ firepower on offense.
“It’ll be a good challenge for the whole team, and it’s what games like this should be,” Trojans head coach Lincoln Riley told ESPNLA. “Two really good football teams going at it and a lot on the line, just like it should be at the end of the year.”
