The USC Trojans are hosting the Oregon Ducks on Saturday, and this one is interesting, to say the least. On the one hand, we have one of the most expensive rosters in college football. And one of the most talented. Yet, the Ducks just lost to Oklahoma State.

With USC, they look like a team that can score with anyone. However, they haven’t really played anyone. A talented team like the Ducks could change that on their resume. So, the question stands: who wins this game?

Final score predictions for USC vs. Oregon

Tyler Forness, A to Z Florida: Oregon 34, USC 28

I both love and hate that this is a Big Ten matchup. It’s great that the rivalry is continuing, but it feels weird in this conference. I have to give Lincoln Riley credit. He’s done a great job of reloading this wide receiver core. True freshmen Kayden Dixon-Wyatt and tigh end Mark Bowman lead the team in receiving, and Jayden Maiava has been a great distributor of the football. He doesn’t have the tools of an NFL starter, but he’s really fun at the college level.

Things are far from perfect for the Ducks, as their new offensive coordinator, Drew Mehringer, hasn’t been as good as they hoped. Quarterback Dante Moore has been very inconsistent, but it’s more because the offense hasn’t given him answers. They got back on track against Portland State, and the USC defense is beatable. This is where Oregon takes another step forward.

Craig Smith, A to Z Miami: Oregon 47, USC 44

This is a game between two of the most exciting and high-flying offenses in the country led by two tremendous quarterbacks. Oregon showed their flaws in a 39-31 loss at Oklahoma State, with the Cowboys rolling up the Ducks’ defense for a staggering 554 yards (317 passing, 237 rushing). QB Dante Moore also drew criticism for his footwork, and the Cowboys certainly looked ready. Moore went 14/29 for 191 yards and two scores.

Meanwhile, USC has scored plenty, but they’ve also allowed plenty. San Jose State (26 points), Fresno State (30), and Rutgers (35) had little trouble scoring points on the Trojans’ defense. I have to think Oregon has learned from those mistakes on both sides of the ball. They are one of the most talented teams in the country, and they bounce back in a shootout with the Trojans in a who-has-the-ball-last-wins type of game.

Ryan Roberts, A to Z Notre Dame: Oregon 41, USC 31

I’m predicting Oregon 41, USC 31 in what should be the best game of the weekend. The Trojans’ defense is still a major work in progress, and that becomes impossible to hide against an Oregon offense averaging more than 500 yards per game. Dante Moore has been extremely efficient to start the season, completing 68.5% of his passes for 849 yards and nine touchdowns without an interception, and I expect him to keep finding openings in USC’s defense.

USC will absolutely have its moments, though, because Jayden Maiava is playing at an incredibly high level. He enters this matchup with 1,173 passing yards, 12 touchdowns, and just one interception, so I expect the Trojans to trade punches with Oregon for much of the afternoon. But eventually, I think Dante Moore wins the quarterback duel. Oregon’s passing attack starts creating explosive plays in the second half, while USC’s defensive issues become more costly as the game wears on. The Trojans can score enough to make this interesting, but the Ducks pull away late for a 41-31 victory.

Rob Gregson, A to Z Alabama: USC 33, Oregon 30

I know it may seem a bit hyperbolic since this game is in September, but I would go so far as to say this is a must-win for both teams. From the Ducks’ POV, you already dropped one against an unranked Oklahoma State team, and you still have Ohio State and Michigan on deck.

But for the Trojans, you’re coming off a week where your defense looked like Swiss cheese against Rutgers; of all programs, the game is at home, and you still have Penn State, Ohio State, and Indiana on your schedule. The Ducks’ offensive line has been a mess, Dante Moore has seemingly regressed, and the defense can’t stop a nosebleed. Don’t tell me about 84 points against Portland State. If that were Chip Kelly’s team, they’d score 100. Give me USC finally getting over the hump and putting a fork in the wounded Ducks.

Justin Churchill, A to Z Oklahoma: USC 30, Oregon 17

The USC Trojans have an elite offense. And no one is throwing the ball better right now than Jayden Maiava. They have an elite offense with a good play caller. This game will be about whether their defense can hold up against Oregon’s offense. They have an elite QB in Dante Moore and some really good pass catchers. In that matchup – USC’s secondary and Oregon’s wide receivers- we could see some game-breaking moments. Whoever wins that matchup wins this game. I think USC wins it for the first time in four years.