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College Football Playoff race: Oregon beats USC, eliminates Trojans from CFP picture

ns_headshot_2024-clearby: Nick Schultz2 hours agoNickSchultz_7
USC at Oregon
© Ben Lonergan/The Register-Guard / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Saturday afternoon, a game filled with College Football Playoff implications took place in Eugene. USC was in town to take on Oregon with both teams looking to stay squarely in the CFP picture.

The Ducks entered the matchup ranked No. 7 in the latest College Football Playoff rankings, putting them in position to host, based on the projected 12-team bracket. The Trojans, meanwhile, ranked No. 15 to become one of the first teams out of the projected field.

At 8-2, a third loss would effectively eliminate USC from the picture. Although the Trojans kept things interesting throughout Saturday’s matchup, it wasn’t enough as they fell to Oregon.

The two teams traded blows in the first half as the offenses went on full display. Oregon took a 28-14 lead into halftime, but USC scored first in the second half to get back within a touchdown. The back-and-forth continued as the Ducks tried to create any kind of separation while the Trojans looked to get back out in front for the first time since the opening possession.

It wasn’t enough, though. USC came up short in its attempt to stay alive in the College Football Playoff race, falling to Oregon in the final minutes.

Both teams put on an offensive display, putting up 400 yards apiece. Dante Moore showed out for Oregon, completing 22 of 30 attempts for 257 yards and two touchdowns, to one interception. Kenyon Sadiq emerged as his top target with six receptions for 72 yards and both touchdown receptions.

But as has been the case all year, the Ducks ran a balanced attack. Noah Whittington took 19 carries for 104 yards and a touchdown while Jordon Davison had 13 carries for 50 yards and a score of his own on the ground.

As for USC, Jayden Maiava went 25 of 43 for 311 yard and three touchdowns, to two interceptions, in the effort. Tanook Hines had a monster day, hauling in six receptions for 141 yards and a touchdown, while Ja’Kobi Lane also had six catches for 108 yards. Ma’Kai Lemon added two touchdowns, as well.

Both teams will now turn their attention to the season finale next week to close out the regular season. USC will welcome UCLA for their in-state rivalry matchup while Oregon heads to Seattle for a rivalry affair with Washington.