USC football has lived in the growing shadow of Oregon for nearly a decade, watching the Ducks rise to the level of quality and status the Trojans have enjoyed in their best eras.
USC football fans can still claim that the "O" in Oregon reflects the number of college football national championships the Ducks have won. However, at some point, the value of a college football season needs to be what USC accomplishes, not what Oregon fails to achieve.
According to USA TODAY Sports, USC head coach Lincoln Riley's counterpart, Oregon's Dan Lanning, is ranked fifth among all FBS head coaches entering the 2026 season. Lanning's impressive record, 48-6 in two seasons as members of the Big Ten, will feel unfulfilled until he has greater postseason success.
It's getting old for USC fans to watch Oregon consistently play in the biggest games of the season, while the Trojans struggle to make a similar impact. Even with Oregon not winning a national championship, the Ducks remain a top-eight program, making College Football Playoff quarterfinals.
USC has a chance to change the college football conversation on the West Coast by beating Oregon under Lincoln Riley. The Trojans have a long history of great coaches, including Pete Carroll, John McKay, John Robinson, and Howard Jones, who achieved success in their eras. It's time for Riley to follow in their footsteps.
Riley's team has a tough road ahead, but the opportunity is there. The question is whether they can finally take down Oregon and move the program forward.
The stage is set for a crucial matchup between USC and Oregon. The Trojans will look to make a statement and take control of their season, while the Ducks aim to continue their dominance.
Source: Yahoo Sports