No. 12 USC is staring down an epic Saturday showdown against No. 20 Oregon in Los Angeles, desperately trying to snap a brutal four-game losing skid to the Ducks. Lincoln Riley has the Trojans off to a blazing 4-0 start to the 2026 season and climbing to No. 12 in the rankings, but the real test, the one that has haunted them for years, arrives this weekend. This isn’t just another Big Ten game, folks, this is USC trying to reverse a trend that has seen Oregon own them, especially in LA.
The Duck Dynasty’s Wild Streaks Are Under Threat
Let’s be real, Oregon has had USC’s number for way too long. Before 2010, the Trojans largely dominated in LA, but things flipped hard. The Ducks have won four of their last five against USC in Los Angeles and an insane eight of the last 10 meetings overall. Remember last year’s 42-27 beatdown in Eugene? That just extended Oregon’s winning streak to four straight in the series. This rivalry edge could be huge for Oregon, especially since they already took a loss this season to Oklahoma State, making their path back to the College Football Playoff even tighter after back-to-back appearances in 2024 and 2025, including a Big Ten title in 2024.
And get this, Oregon is walking into this game with some absolutely bonkers streaks on the line. They’ve got the longest active streak in all of FBS with **eleven straight road wins in conference play**. Think about that, eleven! Plus, they haven’t lost a conference opener since 2018. If they lose Saturday, it’s not just a blown conference opener; it would drop them to 2-2, marking the first time since 2016 that a Ducks team has multiple losses through the first four games. That’s serious pressure for a team that was a preseason national championship pick!
Jayden Maiava’s Coliseum Magic Could Change Everything
But here’s where USC can truly flip the script: their quarterback, Jayden Maiava. This dude is off to a stellar start, leading the entire FBS in passing touchdowns with 12, while only throwing one interception. He’s the engine behind one of the best scoring offenses in the Big Ten, averaging 43.0 points per game. And guess what? His home performances are legendary.
Maiava has an insane 11-1 record in 12 career home starts for the Trojans since taking over as the starter at the end of the 2024 season. He’s thrown 32 touchdowns to just six interceptions at home, a stark contrast to his 15:11 touchdown-to-interception ratio in road games. This kid is a different animal in the Coliseum, and he’s going to need every ounce of that home-field magic against a team that has simply owned USC.
Saturday in LA isn’t just another game. It’s a chance for USC to finally flip the script on Oregon, keep their CFP dreams burning bright, and stop the bleeding against their rival. Can Maiava’s home dominance finally break the Ducks’ iron grip and end those ridiculous Oregon streaks? We’re about to find out.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by CBS Sports.
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