Oregon Ducks Exploit USC's Biggest Weakness Under Lincoln Riley

The No. 19 USC Trojans suffered a significant defeat against the No. 5 Oregon Ducks, losing 42-27 in Eugene. This loss hampers USC's pursuit of a strong season finish and highlights ongoing defensive vulnerabilities under head coach Lincoln Riley. Despite maintaining an undefeated record at home, USC's performance on the road has been inconsistent, with a 2-3 record this season and a 13-12 record overall under Riley away from the Coliseum.

Oregon capitalized on USC's defensive weaknesses, with quarterback Dante Moore throwing for 257 yards and two touchdowns, and running back Noah Whittington adding 104 rushing yards and a touchdown. The Ducks outperformed USC in rushing yards, 179 to 52, and controlled the game tempo, especially with a decisive 79-yard drive in the fourth quarter.

USC's defensive struggles are evident against top-tier teams, holding a 0-7 record against top 10 opponents, which could worsen if Notre Dame and