​The Ducks put their nonconference season in the rearview mirror Sept. 18 with a thumping of Portland State at Autzen Stadium.Was the 84-0 victory against an overmatched FCS opponent enough to get No. 16 Oregon (2-1) back on track after its Week 2 misstep in Stillwater when the Ducks lost to Oklahoma State?The answer to that question will be determined by the Ducks’ performance on Saturday when they open Big Ten play with a 4:30 p.m. game against No. 12 Southern California (4-0, 1-0) at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.Oregon has won four straight against USC, including two in a row in L.A., and eight of the last 10. “With whatever opportunity that comes in front of us, we’re ready to attack,” Oregon quarterback Dante Moore said Friday after the game against the Vikings. “We did a great job tonight, we’re gonna keep carrying this momentum making sure next week is the same way and we’re not inconsistent with it.”Here’s an early look at the Trojans.Who is USC’s QB?: Jayden Maiava, a 6-4, 230-pound fifth-year is statistically the best quarterback in the conference this season. He leads the Big Ten and is second nationally in both passing yards (1,173) and passing touchdowns (12). Against Rutgers on Saturday he completed 20 of 32 passes for 277 yards and two touchdowns. He was third-team all-Big Ten last season.Other offensive standouts: Maiava’s favorites targets have been a trio of freshmen who have excelled in the passing game for the Trojans. Receiver Kayden Dixon-Wyatt has 18 receptions for 258 yards and two touchdowns and receiver Trent Mosley has 13 catches for 255 yards and four scores. Tight end Mark Bowman has 15 catches for 160 yards and two TDs. Former walk-on running back King Miller has the second-most rushing yards in the Big Ten with 338 on 64 carries. He’s scored three rushing TDs.Defensive standouts: The Trojans are solid up front with 6-5, 280-pound junior defensive tackle Jide Abasiri (11 tackles, 3.5 TFLs, 1.0 sack), 6-6, 265-pound freshman defensive end Luke Wafle (15 tackles, 1.5 TFLs) and 6-4, 250-pound sophomore defensive end Jadyn Ramos (2.0 sacks) leading the way for a defense that is allowing 22.75 points and 317 yards per game. Fifth-year safety Prophet Brown has two of USC’s three interceptions. Senior linebacker Deven Bryant, a transfer from Washington, leads the Trojans with 20 tackles.The last time the Ducks and Cowboys met: Oregon won the November 2025 matchup, 42-27, at Autzen Stadium. Dante Moore threw for 257 yards and two touchdowns. The Ducks also rushed for three scores and added another on an 85-yard punt return by Malik Benson. Oregon outgained the Trojans 436 yards to 382. Maiava passed for 306 yards and three touchdowns, but the Ducks’ defense kept the Trojans one dimensional, holding them to 52 yards rushing on 28 carries.Notes: Oregon coach Dan Lanning has yet to lose a road game to a Big Ten opponent, going 9-0 away from Autzen Stadium in the Ducks’ first two seasons in the conference