No. 7 Oregon beat No. 15 USC 42-27 in a Big Ten showdown at Autzen Stadium on Saturday that carried considerable College Football Playoff implications on both sides.
The Ducks (10-1, 7-1) inched closer to a second straight playoff appearance under Dan Lanning. The Trojans (8-3, 6-2) suffered a third loss – which will make it all but impossible for Lincoln Riley to take USC to the CFP for the first time.
What was the difference in this matchup? Oregon had the running game working. The Trojans did not, and it eventually made the difference in the fourth quarter. The Ducks finished with 41 attempts for 179 rushing yards behind Noah Whittington, who had 18 carries for 109 yards and a TD. USC had 28 attempts for 52 yards.
The good news? The Big Ten likely has three CFP teams now with No. 1 Ohio State, No. 2 Indiana and No. 7 Oregon, with No. 18 Michigan still in the hunt. The Wolverines would have to upset the Buckeyes to make that happen.
Here is the impact from Oregon's big win on Saturday.
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How Oregon beat USC in Big Ten shootout
True to their coaches, Oregon and USC both came out aggressive in the first quarter. The Ducks scored on their first two drives behind Dante Moore, who was 7 of 10 for 88 yards and a TD in the first quarter. Jayden Maiava – who was 8 of 12 for 114 yards and a TD – countered by leading two TD drives, the second capped with a 24-yard TD pass from Makai Lemon to Tanook Hines.
Special teams swung the momentum toward the Ducks in the second quarter. An 85-yard punt return for a touchdown by Malik Benson with 9:58 remaining in the first half gave Oregon a 21-14 lead. Then, USC's Desman Stephens II was given a personal foul after leaping over the center on a missed field goal. Linebacker Bryce Boettcher cashed in with a 1-yard TD run with 1:52 remaining in the half.
USC's Ryon Sayeri missed a 27-yard field goal with eight seconds left in the half.
Maiva and Moore threw interceptions in the third quarter. The Trojans cashed in with a 4-yard TD pass to Lemon with 5:48 left in the third quarter. Oregon answered with a TD drive on a 28-yard TD pass from Moore to Kenyon Sadiq with 2:13 left in the third quarter. USC cut the lead again with a TD pass from Maiava to Lake McRee, but the extra point failed. Oregon responded again, this time with a 9-yard TD run by Whittington with 5:58 remaining.
Moore finished 22 of 30 for 257 yards, two TDs and an interception. Maiava finished 25 of 43 for 306 yards, three TDs and two interceptions. The game was marred by penalties. USC had eight penalties for 103 yards, and Oregon had 11 penalties for 130 yards. Boettcher finished with 13 tackles.
MORE: How much does Dan Lanning make at Oregon?
Breaking down Big Ten playoff contenders
The Big Ten still has four teams in the College Football Playoff hunt after Oregon's win against USC. A look at the standings:
| SCHOOL | OVERALL | BIG TEN | WEEK 13 |
| Indiana | 11-0 | 8-0 | Bye |
| Ohio State | 11-0 | 8-0 | Beat Rutgers 42-9 |
| Oregon | 10-1 | 7-1 | Beat USC 42-27 |
| Michigan | 9-2 | 7-1 | Beat Maryland 45-20 |
Ohio State (11-0, 8-0)
Ohio State beat Rutgers 42-9 on Saturday. The Buckeyes have won 15 straight games dating back to last season and can clinch a spot in the Big Ten championship game with a win against Michigan. The Buckeyes have lost four in a row in that series.
MORE: Details of Indiana head coach Curt Cignetti's massive contract extension
Indiana (11-0, 8-0)
The Hoosiers can clinch the schools' first Big Ten championship game appearance with a victory against Purdue in Week 14. Indiana had a bye week to get ready for the Boilermakers. Indiana appears to be a lock for a second straight CFP appearance.
Oregon (10-1, 7-1)
Oregon beat USC. The Ducks lost 30-20 to Indiana on Oct. 11, which means Oregon needs Michigan to beat Ohio State to make the Big Ten championship game. Still, the Ducks look good for a College Football Playoff berth – and likely a home game in the first round – with a victory against Washington on Rivalry Week.
MORE: WR Malik Benson is becoming a standout at Oregon after leaving both Alabama and FSU
No. 18 Michigan (9-2, 7-1)
Michigan beat Maryland 45-20 in Week 13. The Wolverines need a win against Ohio State and either an Oregon loss to Washington or an Indiana loss to Purdue to get to the Big Ten championship game. As far as becoming the fourth Big Ten team to get in the playoff, the non-conference loss to Oklahoma hurts. A LSU upset would help.