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"The way everyone including the media is talking I did not know the Ducks were 0-3." Well, "journalists" are actually pretty lazy. Not just in sports, but across the spectrum of news. So, they will borrow and repeat a story until something else comes along to exploit as an easy assignment. Right now they are mostly waiting until next bonehead decision/comment by Kiffin then they'll jump on that thread again. Ole Miss played a damn fine game, but the post-game stuff was about....Kiffin. Kentucky got the win at Tex A&M last weekend. Good win for Stein. And, crickets. So, Saturday's outcome will be "the coach who can't win the big one." Fill in the blank for name. Will there be other storylines? Yep. But, most of the columns are already written except for the name.

On paper, this will be a nail-biter of a game: Oregon wins 34-30 2 3 285

Ducks 45-27 2 3 309

Mike, on the same day you posted this terrific take, The Athletic's ($ Wall) Chris Vannini asked: What's Wrong with the Ducks? Vannini notes five problems. All of the problems have been raised by Forum Friends, but Vannini provides stats to confirm his points. 1. Too many penalties. 10 vs. Boise and 7 in the games vs. OK State and Portland State. This averages out to three more per game than in 2025. 15 of the 24 penalties have been called on the defense. Two penalties on 4th downs vs. OK State led to Cowboys scores. 2. Too many 3rd-and-long - The Oregon offense has not been on schedule. 9 out of 26 3rd downs converted against Boise State and OK State; 34%. 2025 conversion rate was 47%. Oregon is 0-for-5 on 4th down attempts. 4th down failures in the first two games resulted in 16 points scored against. 3. O-Line Struggles - The Oregon offense is averaging 3.8 yards per rush, No. 78 in the nation. Only one running play has gone for more than 30 yards. The OL surrendered 4 sacks to OK State; 3 came against a 3-man rush, and 3 sacks to Boise State. Both Addison's and Crader's Pro Football Focus Pass-Blocking Grades are below 30%. 4. Dante Moore struggles when defenses change post-snap. Dante continues to have problems reading the field when defenses make post-snap adjustments. There has been no improvement since 2025, and a modest regression. USC DC Gary Patterson will mix it up post-snap. Does the SC D have the chops to take advantage? 5. The Defense Has Been Busted. 7 plays of 30 or more yards allowed to date. In 15 games in 2025, the defense allowed 18 impact plays. But 6 of the 7 breakdowns occurred in the Stillwater meltdown. Can these problems be avoided or overcome against USC? Perhaps, and it helps that USC's outstanding freshman WR Trent Mosely will not be able to play. SC should have lost at Rutgers, and previously, under Riley, SC would have lost. But there are better players on the field, including on a defense that scored two TDs, and in 2026 SC has run the ball much better than Oregon. Which D shows up on Saturday? The SC D that shut out Fresno State or the Swiss cheese D that played against Rutgers? Which O shows up for Oregon? If it's the O that no-showed in the first two weeks, USC wins. Before knowing whether Jeremiah Johnson can play, I'm keeping my prediction powder dry.

Ducks in a nail biter, 21-17 2 TO 2 Sacks 245 yards passing

DUCKS! 43 - 27 1 TO 2 SACKS 310 YARDS PASSING Note: Add 3 points to the Spoiled Children if that horse dumps on the 50 yard line.

Let's hope this is true . . .

I really hate when Oregon loses and someone wins this contest. If it were me I would Just sit it out.

49-39 Oregon 3 2 317

DUCKS 42-27 3 2 286

Ducks 38-34 2 2 294

Great post Mike. Here are my questions. What is the real Oregon? Is the D line doing what they are being asked to do? If their main priority is to simply contain the play between the tackles and avoid the risk of extra pressure, then they would be doing what they've been asked to do and then what could actually change? If the strategy has been to apply pressure but they simply have failed to do so regularly, then this is an epic let down by a supposed NFL front line. If it's not one or they other, then what the heck is going on? What is the Real Donte Moore? The ending of both Penn St and Iowa were spectacular and show what the ceiling can be. More often than not, the game seems to ebb and flow on the play of the other players. With QB's like Bo, Marcus, Dennis and Akili, it always felt like the fate of the team was in the QB's hands and that's just how you wanted it. It's time for Moore to take over a game that matters. Roll out and extend a play instead of taking a sack. Go deep to that third option when it's there instead of simply dumping off to a running back and hoping for the best. Lead a team to victory. He's done it before. What's the real Lanning? Going for it on 4th and whatever whenever, has worn away the new coach smell. I still love Lanning and think he's still a couple steps ahead of the pack but I wonder if that has blurred into a sense of a can't do wrong attitude. Clearly the D line plan is not working. Does he have a plan B? How can the offensive line be so shaky in year five? Does he adjust personnel to match the scheme? Does he adjust the scheme to match the personnel? He should have this solved week four. I think this weekend we get to see who the real Oregon, Moore and Lanning are.

That makes sense to me. If the edges can create more pressure with the occasional linebacker through the middle, it should force quicker reads allowing the safeties to adjust close and run a cover 4.

USC vs. Oregon prediction, pick, odds, spread: Trojans look to snap losing streak to DucksNo. 12 USC looks to end a four-game losing skid to No. 20 Oregon on Saturday in LAUSC vs. Oregon prediction, picksWhile the series between these two teams has slanted heavily in Oregon's favor, USC has not lacked for points against the Ducks. And while the oddsmakers have clearly identified the strength advantage for both teams, predicting a high-scoring game with their over-under total, it might still not be enough points. These two teams combined for 69 points in 2025 and 63 points in 2023, leaving some wiggle room with the current posted total. Pick: Over 61.5 Tom Fornelli Chip Patterson Brandon Marcello John Talty Richard Johnson Shehan Jeyarajah David Cobb Brad Crawford Chris Hummer ORE -3 Oregon Oregon USC Oregon Oregon Oregon Oregon Oregon Oregon SU Oregon Oregon Oregon Oregon Oregon Oregon Oregon Oregon Oregon https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/news/usc-oregon-prediction-picks-odds-spread-where-to-watch-live/

Oregon wins: 24-20 1 Turnover 2 Sacks 194 Yards Passing

Ducks win!!! *41-31 *2 sacks *1 turnover *227 yards passing (Ducks find their rushing attack and run for 200+ on Saturday)

Oregon Ducks 37 Hollywood USC 24 Sack attack - 3 TO - 1 247 Passing Tie breaker total yard 462

Ducks WIN! (In a BarnBurner!) 38-31 2 TO 2 SKS 275 Yds Pass (and a whole lot o rush'n) Please, please let us see the DUCKS we were hoping for, just one month ago... ESPECIALLY on the Defensive Front!

Ducks win 52-49 2 - Trurnovers 2 - Sacks 268 passing yards Go Ducks

I was at that game and that play was made coming right towards us, in the stands. I still can’t believe Maehl made that catch!!!

"I'm not asking for sympathy." It's missing, Linc, and outside of South Central, it will not be found. 😁 https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/49713288/usc-lincoln-riley-hot-seat-job-security-2026

Koi, where are you? Many quality OL players and B1G players are on this list of the 25 most impactful transfers to date. But no Ducks. SIRanking the 25 Most Impactful Transfer Portal Players in...These 25 players have made big impressions in their new homes through the first few weeks of the season.

Sorry, Jayden, but this Saturday I hope it's not Ohana, but Oh 🤬! SIJayden Maiava’s Remarkable Rise From Hawaiʻi to Heisman C...The USC QB grew up in public housing with 15 to 20 family members in one home. Now at the Trojans’ lavish facilities, he carries the values of community.

Ducks! 49-28 1 Spoiled Child TO 2 Duck sacks 333 Duck Passing Yards