Season on the line for the Ducks: Oregon at USC Expert Picks (9/26)

We have six ranked matchups on the Week 4 college football slate. I don't think any of them are as important as Oregon/USC. Oregon is looking to avoid their second loss of the season which would put them on the brink of missing the playoff. USC is hoping for their signature win under Lincoln Riley since he has arrived in Los Angeles. Something has to give and that sets the scene for a terrific matchup on Saturday night.

Check out the best odds on the market and tons of picks for the NCAA Football Season.

NCAA Football Expert Insights: Oregon vs USC

Oregon has been a big surprise so far to start the season. The #2 ranked team in the preseason and one of the national title favorites hasn't looked the part early on in the season. They opened up the year with a 34-27 win at home vs Boise State and then followed that up with a 39-31 loss in Stillwater against Oklahoma State. Their defense was supposed to be one of the best in the country, but has looked very mediocre so far.

USC meanwhile, hasn't really played anyone. Trojans have wins over San Jose State, Fresno State, Louisiana, and Rutgers so far. Now we really get to see what this team is made of. Right now the consensus around Lincoln Riley is that he can't win the big one. He gets another shot on Saturday to prove that he is the right man for the job to lead USC football back to the mountain top.

 

Oregon Ducks vs USC Trojans : NCAA Football Expert Picks

Matchup Information – Oregon vs USC – September 26

• Venue & Location: Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum ( Los Angeles, CA)
• Date: Saturday, September 26, 2026
• Kick Off: 7:30 PM ET
• Broadcast: NBC

Oregon vs USC Betting Odds

Odds listed are from BetOnline as of Thursday, September 24, 2026 at 10:55 a.m. eastern.

Spread

• Oregon -3 (-115)
• USC +3 (-105)

Moneyline

• Oregon -163
• USC +143

Total

• Over 62.5 (-105)
• Under 62.5 (-115)

 

 

Oregon vs USC Prediction: Oregon Wins, Oregon Covers, Under 62.5

Best Bet: Oregon ML (-163) BetOnline

There have been a lot of comparisons in recent weeks that this Oregon team might be last year's Penn State. It definitely makes sense and after Saturday those comparisons will grow even louder if the Ducks lose. However, I actually think Oregon is last year's Alabama.

If you remember last season the Crimson Tide opened up the year on the road against Florida State. They lost that game and everyone thought they were done for. No SEC Title, no CFB Playoff, none of it. Now it feels like most people are saying the same about Oregon after their loss to Oklahoma State. Just like Bama's loss to FSU, Oregon's loss to Oklahoma State was a non conference game. It has no effect on your conference standings. Yes, the loss puts you behind the eight ball and gives you less room for error to make the playoff, but you still control your conference hopes.

That's why I like Oregon so much in this game on Saturday night. They are desperate for a win. USC wants to beat Oregon, but Oregon needs to beat USC. Whenever you get an early season matchup like this I always like taking the more desperate team, especially if that team is super talented. I compared Oregon to last year's Bama, remember the Tide had to go on the road early in the year and face Georgia with their season was on the line. You lose 2 games before October, it's going to be really hard to make the playoff. Bama wins that game, ends up making the SEC Title game and the CFB Playoff.

That's how much is on the line for Oregon in this game. That's why guys like Dante Moore came back to school was to play in games like this. He came back to win Oregon's first national title and none of that will happen if they don't beat USC.

Despite their sluggish starts vs Boise and Oklahoma State the offense has put up some yards and points. That defense is to talented to continue to be this bad and Lanning is to good a defensive coach. I expect the Ducks to play well on that side of the ball. I'm also not convinced that this USC Lincoln Riley team is different then the others. The offense is good and the defense is inconsistent. They go to the east coast vs a BIG 10 team and they don't cover. Still feels like the same team to me.

Season on the line for the Ducks with still a trip to Columbus against Ohio State down the road. They have to win and I think they will.

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