5 Things To Watch: USC

EUGENE, Ore. — The spotlight is shining brightly on the University of Oregon this weekend.

The eyes of the college football world will be on Autzen Stadium on Saturday, when the No. 7 Oregon football team hosts No. 15 USC. The game is scheduled to kick off at 12:30 p.m.

The Ducks are 9-1 overall and 6-1 in the Big Ten this season, and are riding a four-game win streak since their lone loss, to Indiana. The Trojans (8-2, 6-1) have losses at Illinois and Notre Dame; both Oregon and USC have wins over Northwestern and Iowa, though the Ducks beat both on the road while the Trojans beat both at home.

USC has a 38-23-2 advantage in the all-time series, including 11-10-1 in Eugene. The Ducks have won five out of the last six, including the last two at Autzen Stadium.

CBS will broadcast the game, with Brad Nessler on play by play, analysis by Gary Danielson and sideline reporting from Jenny Dell.

Some storylines to watch when the game kicks off …

1. This is the game of the week in college football, with the winner still in contention for the Big Ten title, and the loser seeing its College Football Playoff hopes take a hit.

ESPN's "College GameDay" pregame show is on site to mark the occasion, broadcasting from the UO campus beginning at 6 a.m. After the football game, Oregon volleyball has a showdown with Michigan in Matthew Knight Arena at 6 p.m., making for a big-time atmosphere around Eugene all day long.

"These moments are fun," UO coach Dan Lanning said. "Obviously when College GameDay is coming to come see you twice, there's a reason. It speaks volumes about our fan base, it speaks volumes about our program — and their program as well. When you get opportunities like that, that's something you want to take advantage of."

2. As usual, the Trojans are elite at the offensive skill positions. Makai Lemon might end up winning the Biletnikoff Award as the nation's top receiver, and breakout QB Jayden Maiava has other skilled targets in receiver Ja'Kobi Lane and tight ends Lake McRee and Walker Lyons.

Oregon's pass defense also has been elite this year. But this will be a test for the Ducks' young secondary.

"I think this is one of the best receiving corps we've seen since we've been here," Lanning said. "Their quarterback is playing at a really high level as well. They have schemes that challenge you. They do a good job moving guys around and make it tough to figure out where they're at. It's a real challenge for us, but one we'll embrace."

3. Oregon, meanwhile, will look to command play in the trenches, with help from a couple guys USC knows well.

On offense, the Ducks have a standout guard in Emmanuel Pregnon, a transfer from the Trojans.

"Emmanuel's done an unbelievable job for us, been a really good teammate," Lanning said. "He brings a level of intensity every single day to practice. Obviously can move bodies. I think he's definitely done a great job in the run game and pass game for us this year."

The Ducks have another USC transfer on the defensive line, Bear Alexander, who has put to rest questions about his work ethic and commitment to football with a breakout season under the tutelage of the UO coaching staff.

"Bear deserves the credit for what he's done," Lanning said. "We've certainly coached Bear, and he's been super-receptive and worked really hard to be the best version of himself. I think he's come here and found the best version of himself. But he deserves the credit."

4. Oregon QB Dante Moore has a tough act to follow, after setting a UO record by completing 90 percent of this passes (27-of-30) last week against Minnesota.

The Ducks' run game will be of the utmost importance Saturday, as Oregon looks to be the more physical team. But Moore and the pass game will look to be a complement to that, after a huge night against the Golden Gophers.

"I said it (last) Friday but I'll say it again, that Dante had a great game but there were some unbelievable catches and great pass protection and a lot of pieces that go into that," Lanning said. "When all those things click, when your quarterback plays like he did in that game, I think that's a great representation of the entire product of the offense. Guys making unbelievable catches, quarterback putting the ball in the right spots, guys protecting the quarterback — all those things have to take place. Great schemes from the coaches. It's awesome when you have those things rolling."

5. With a win today, Oregon will enter the final week of the regular season still in contention to make the Big Ten title game. With a win today, the Ducks will remain in the hunt to potentially host a College Football Playoff game.

Without a win today, both could be off the table. And so the Ducks aren't focused on anything beyond getting a win today.

"The only thing that matters for us this week is USC," Lanning said. "If we continue to do our job, the rest of it takes care of itself."