No. 15 USC will be without multiple key starters when it visits No. 7 Oregon on Saturday, a critical Big Ten showdown with College Football Playoff implications.
USC announced that safety Bishop Fitzgerald and running back Waymond Jordan have been ruled out. Safety Kamari Ramsey and left tackle Elijah Paige are listed as questionable, though both are considered doubtful, according to CBS Sports. Three were injured in last week’s 26-21 win over Iowa.
As for Jordan, he has been sidelined since October after undergoing tightrope ankle surgery. King Miller and Bryan Jackson will continue to split the workload in Jordan’s absence.
With Fitzgerald and potentially Ramsey unavailable, USC is expected to rely heavily on Christian Pierce and Kennedy Urlacher in the secondary, with freshman Alex Graham likely to handle nickel duties, according to 247Sports. If Paige cannot go, the Trojans will again shift left guard Tobias Raymond to tackle and insert Kaylon Miller at guard, which last week’s alignment.
The Trojans enter Autzen Stadium carrying an 18-6 record when featured on ESPN’s “College GameDay,” but they have struggled in major road tests since joining the Big Ten. USC hasn’t won in Eugene since 2011.
“Moments like these are fun,” Oregon coach Dan Lanning said. “This is a challenge, and they play really good football.”
With both teams fighting to stay alive in the playoff race, USC’s depth will be tested more than ever
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