Saturday, Nov. 22
3:30 p.m. Eastern, 12:30 p.m. Pacific
CBS
USC-Oregon is the defining game of the week in the Big Ten, and it’s the most important game of the season for the Trojans and the Ducks. There is a lot of discussion surrounding the College Football Playoff stakes attached to this game. Everyone knows and agrees that if USC loses, it’s over for the Trojans. They would have no chance to make the playoff if they fall short. The real intrigue surrounds Oregon. Is this an absolute must-win game for the Ducks, or can they still get into the playoff with a 10-2 record? Experts are split, but that is a commentary in itself. It’s not obvious that Oregon safely gets in with a 10-2 mark. The win over Penn State did not turn out to be the slam-dunk resume-booster most people originally thought it would be. The Ducks’ other Big Ten wins haven’t carried much juice, either. Iowa losing to USC means Oregon just lost a ranked team; the Hawkeyes dropped out of the top 25 with the loss, so UO’s win over Iowa doesn’t look quite as good as it previously did. All that can be said here is that Oregon can’t leave matters up to chance. It might as well win and not give the selection committee any reason at all to exclude the Ducks.
USC-Oregon is a prove-it moment for both teams
Trojans, Ducks know the margin for error is extremely small at best
The Trojans and Ducks both come into this game facing a lot of questions. Quarterbacks Jayden Maiava of USC and Dante Moore of Oregon have been good at times this year, but they haven’t been consistently great. They have had their moments and have done enough to lead their teams to this point, but how will they perform in the most important game of their season and maybe their college careers?
The mysteries surrounding the quarterbacks extend to other position groups on these rosters. USC’s receivers have struggled away from home. Oregon’s receivers have been banged up in recent weeks and have not been able to maintain a rhythm on the field. Both receiver rooms have a lot to prove in this game.
The Oregon defense has not seen a passing attack as good as the one USC brings to Eugene. The USC defense has struggled to stop the run. Oregon runs the ball extremely well. There are obvious matchup problems for both defenses in this game, and they must stand tall to put their teams in the best possible position to win.
USC-Trojans Oregon Ducks odds
Hear TJ Rives and Jason Powers break down this game on the 3Dog Thursday Podcast by clicking Play below:
USC +9.5 (-105) Oregon -9.5 (-115)
Over 59.5 (-105) Under 59.5 (-115)
Underdog moneyline: USC +300
USC under Lincoln Riley has had a horrible time winning big road games. The Trojans lost by 10 at Notre Dame on a day when they were 9.5-point underdogs. USC has been below .500 this season in covering the spread, though the Trojans did show a lot of resolve and quality last week in their comeback win over Iowa. That game, however, was in the Los Angeles Coliseum. Lincoln Riley away from LA has been a disaster at USC. That one central fact overrides any concerns about Oregon and an offense which has been far less than special this season. Oregon minus the points is just too good and too obvious to turn down here.