No. 16 USC is leaning into trust, away from outside noise against No. 6 Oregon
No. 16 USC is leaning into trust, away from outside noise against No. 6 Oregon
প্রকাশিত November 21, 2025, 08:14 PM
USC defensive end Jahkeem Stewart answered nearly every question in a similar way during Wednesday’s media availability.
Trusting the coaches and his teammates was the refrain, and it’s a mindset that helps him stay within the No. 16 Trojans’ self-made bubble ahead of Saturday’s game at No. 6 Oregon.
“You can’t cheat the game of football,” Stewart said. “I feel as though we’re trusting in each other and trusting my brother next to me that he’s going to do his job and him trusting I’m gonna do my job. If we keep that thing forward, we’re gonna do great.”
This will be the most important game on USC’s schedule when it comes to playoff implications. If the Trojans win, they’ll likely become a Top 10 team in the College Football Playoff rankings and all but secure their first-ever CFP spot.
If they lose, their chances are slim to none.
Head coach Lincoln Riley knows his team is aware of the stakes, but also that the Trojans have done a good job insulating themselves from external pressures. In some ways, they’re defying it.
“It’s almost like the outside noise has lost a little bit of credibility with this team,” Riley told reporters on a Zoom call on Thursday.
“I don’t mean that like to be a jerk,” he continued. “This team had to sit there and listen to (people saying) that we weren’t going to be a very good team. And now we’ve turned into a pretty good team. I just don’t feel this team cares that much, honestly.”
There will be plenty of audible noise at Autzen Stadium on Saturday between the ESPN College GameDay appearance and a blackout theme for the crowd. The Ducks are 24-2 at home under head coach Dan Lanning and 9-4 at home when featured on College GameDay.
USC has been tested in other environments this season, including in Nebraska’s blackout game and the Notre Dame rivalry game in South Bend.
“It’s the toughest thing to do in college football, to win big games against good competition on the road,” Riley said. “The mentality that it takes and all that. I’m glad we’ve been in them. I’m glad this is not our first, and definitely pushing hard on our end to make sure it’s our best.”
The Ducks will likely have a run-first offense on Saturday with their deep running back room comprised of Noah Whittington, Jordon Davison and Dierre Hill, Jr. All three are known to take off on long runs and collectively they have rushed for 1,534 yards and 21 touchdowns this season.
Quarterback Dante Moore can run the ball when needed, but has become a valuable part of the offense as a passer partly due to his unshakable demeanor. Moore passed for a season-high 306 yards in the Ducks’ most recent game against Minnesota and has thrown for three or more touchdowns in five games.
“He very much reminds me of a Joe Montana feel when he’s on the field,” CBS college football commentator Gary Danielson, who will be calling the game on Saturday, said.
“He does not get rattled. He may have more physical tools than Joe. Joe had his own special tools that he used to become a hall of famer, but Dante has his own special feel.”
Tight end Kenyon Sadiq will be a main target for Moore, especially since the health of some of Oregon’s top receivers is in question. Sadiq is projected to be drafted as early as the first round in the upcoming NFL Draft due to his physicality and pass-catching abilities.
He’s had support from an NFL-bound offensive line that has Pro Football Focus’ highest pass blocking grade. They’ll match up with a USC defensive line that has been inconsistent up front but much improved in the secondary.
Safeties Bishop Fitzgerald and Kamari Ramsey anchor the secondary. Fitzgerald is tied for a conference-leading five interceptions and Ramsey can be moved around the field, spearheading blitz efforts.
The status of Fitzgerald and Ramsey’s health is unclear after both of them left the Iowa game early due to apparent injuries.
The Trojans have the best passing offense in the Big Ten and are averaging 298.1 yards per game. Quarterback Jayden Maiava is throwing for a conference-best 286.8 yards per game, thanks in part to the receiving duo of Makai Lemon and Ja’Kobi Lane.
Lemon ranks second in the nation with 109 receiving yards per game. His ability to make contested catches and gain yardage has made him the highest-graded receiver in Pro Football Focus analytics.
“In this game, Oregon is going to understand you just can’t draw an ‘X’ next to Makai’s ‘O’ and say he’s covered because the blackboard says he’s covered,” Danielson said. “You’re going to have to fix your game and tilt to him. Those pressure points that a player like that can produce make the other 10 USC players that much better.”
Tight ends Lake McRee and Walker Lyons haven’t been utilized as much in recent games, but have proven they can make catches for critical yardage when the Trojans need it.
USC has the superior passing game, due to all of its options at receiver as well as Maiava’s ability to make reads and his athleticism.
There’s been some speculation that running back Waymond Jordan may return to the lineup, but Riley has not confirmed that it will happen in this game. Until that happens, the pattern of King Miller starting at running back and Bryan Jackson stepping in as goal-line running back will likely continue.
Oregon has the best passing defense in the conference and allows just 127.3 passing yards per game. The Ducks have allowed six passing touchdowns all season. Linebacker Teitum Tuioti paces the defense with 47 total tackles 10.5 tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks.
