Oregon is set to host the USC Trojans at 12:30 (PST), in the premier matchup of the college football weekend. ESPN's College Gameday is in town, the number one CBS crew of Brad Nessler, Gary Danielson, and Jenny Dell are on the call, the telltale signs of a critical game in the new-look Big Ten.
The all-time series has a major advantage for the Trojans, a 38-23 series lead, however, the Ducks have dominated in recent memory. Not only is Oregon on a three game winning streak against the Trojans, they have won seven of the last nine, including several instances where the game was not in doubt.
Back home for a top-20 showdown. #GoDucks pic.twitter.com/cEMXvQuXz4
— Oregon Football (@oregonfootball) November 18, 2025
Of course, USC is a program which Oregon is much more familiar with compared to the new fellow Big Ten members. There is familiarity, and some bad blood between fanbases, a rivalry to USC fans, a feeling which is unrequited from Duck fans. Andy Staples of On3 Sports pointed out that this game is the defacto Pac-12 championship, as USC and Oregon have emerged as the two top ex-Pac in 2025.
Every week in the Big Ten offers a new, unique challenge for the players and staff to prepare for. Many of these teams, stylistically, are still something the collective-Oregon eyes have had to readjust to. The low-scoring, ground-and-pound, defensive battles won and lost at the line of scrimmage have tested Oregon through nearly two full seasons of conference play. What is most impressive about the Ducks dominant run through Big Ten play is that they are able to win in a variety of ways.
Through the air, on the ground, with dominant defense, and in sloppy weather, the Ducks determine how the game will be played. When opponents want to set the temperature, they must "meet the thermostat" as head coach Dan Lanning said about his Ducks.
Though USC has shown impressive growth on defense and have continued to utilize the ground game, this edition of the Trojans is what you think of when you picture a Lincoln Riley-led squad. They are dominant through the air, led by a quarterback and a tandem of wide receivers who can match up with anyone's best around the nation.
These type of opponents have given the Ducks fits through Dan Lanning's tenure. Washington, led by quarterback Micheal Penix and a dominant trio of receivers in Rome Odunze, Jalen McMillan and Jay'Lynn Polk handed the Ducks three of Lanning's seven defeats as a head coach.
Ohio State trounced Oregon in the Rose Bowl last season behind Jeremiah Smith and Emeka Egbuka doing seemingly whatever they want on Oregon's defense.
Most recently, Elijah Sarratt and Omar Cooper Jr. seemed to find a way in big spots, as Indiana defeated Oregon 30-20, the first loss in Autzen Stadium since 2022.
Makai Lemon and Ja'Kobi Lane are the latest receiver duo who look to tear apart the Oregon defense, with former UNLV QB Jayden Maiava throwing them the rock. Lemon and Lane are arguably the best receiving duo in the country. Lemon is already well over 1000 yards on the season, with Lane complimenting him well, at 585 yards, averaging nearly 15 yards per catch. This test is one which the Ducks have failed on several instances, and need to pass, perhaps with flying colors to continue to impress the College Football Playoff committee.
The strength of Oregon's extraordinary recruiting efforts through the last two cycles have been in the defensive backfield. In the class of 2025, four of their top five recruits were defensive backs, one of whom has already established himself as one of the best in the nation, in cornerback Brandon Finney. The class also featured rotational corner Na'eem Offord, and safety Trey McNutt and corner Dorian Brew, both of whom have battled injuries all season.
The portal class of 2025 also added immediate impact players, including all-American safety Dillon Thieneman, starting STAR/nickel corner Jadon Canady, and starter Theran Johnson.
The class of 2024 featured safety Aaron Flowers, the teams fourth leading tackler, standout corner Ify Obidegwu, top rated JUCO prospect and regular contributor Sione Laulea, and safeties Kingston Lopa and Peyton Woodyard.
Few, if any, have recruited defensive backs as well as Oregon, Dan Lanning, Chris Hampton, and Tosh Lupoi have over the previous two cycles. Despite the youth, many of these players have made instant impacts. While the three additions in the transfer portal this season all regularly start, the freshmen, redshirt freshmen, and sophomores from the previous two classes have made a significant impact on the 2025 Ducks.
A dominant showing by this Oregon secondary, against maybe the best receiving duo in the nation, with one of the best offensive minds in college football calling plays for an elite quarterback, would be a statement, to say the least. It would (finally) awake the nation to what has been brewing up in the PNW for several years now. Dominant defense filled with speed and length, combined with an offense which can play any style and "take you behind the shed."
The Ducks pass defense is the best in the nation statistically, and it is time to prove it against the dominant Trojans offense.
A win while shutting down this passing attack would be a major sign of program growth. Previously, the Ducks have had to put up massive numbers on offense to keep up with other teams passing attacks, which ran rampant on a frequently undersized secondary which didn't always have answers, or the horses to keep up.
A win of the aforementioned variety would show that the recruiting, development, and coaching efforts have paid off in a huge fashion. One of the biggest matchups to watch will be the new-look, improved secondary of the Ducks facing off with the terrifying duo of Lemon and Lane.
The Ducks will look for a "program win" on Saturday, which would become the best on their resumé as it stands now, as the Trojans have improved into the top fifteen of the newest CFP rankings.