As high-stakes pressure mounts for Dan Lanning and Lincoln Riley, Jayden Maiava’s efficient production currently edges out Dante Moore’s struggling offense ahead of this top-20 showdown.
The easiest storyline for the contest between No. 12 USC and No. 20 Oregon on Saturday is which head coach will emerge victorious amid heavy pressure this season.
Certainly, Ducks head coach Dan Lanning is feeling heat after losing to Oklahoma State in Week 2. That ugly loss came after an underwhelming seven-point win over Boise State at home in Week 1. This is a year the Ducks are expected to push for a national title.
USC head coach Lincoln Riley is looking for his first College Football Playoff appearance with the Trojans. Missing the CFP could mean the end of his tenure in Los Angeles.
But another battle is important to the careers of Oregon quarterback Dante Moore and USC quarterback Jayden Maiava. Maiava has thrown for 1,173 yards, 12 touchdowns, and one interception.
Moore, who returned to Eugene instead of becoming a likely top five pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, has had a slow start to the season, throwing for 849 yards and nine touchdowns. 280 of those yards and four touchdowns came against Portland State on Friday night.
During "Josh Pate's College Football Show" this week, the host made a surprising claim, arguing he'd rather have Maiava over Moore in the contest between USC and Oregon this weekend.
“I just think it may elicit a different answer than you would have given me three or four weeks ago," Pate said. "Which of these quarterbacks would you rather have in this game? I would have certainly told you Dante Moore a month ago.
"I think my answer is Jaden Maiava right now. I think I've got more confidence in the way he's playing right now. He's staying on schedule. He's hitting intermediate and deep balls."
Pate did note that there are worries about Maiava's ability to hold on to the football. He's had some games where he's turned over the ball multiple times. Of course, we've seen that from Moore when he's been under pressure in big games.
This is another going to be another one of those big games for Moore. And, oh, by the way, Oregon will be without Jeremiah McClellan after the wide receiver suffered a foot injury in warmups before Friday night's game against Portland State.
Maiava has had a strong start to the season, but USC will play its first ranked game against the Ducks on Saturday night, a better test for the senior quarterback.
Moore has experience in the CFP. That should be a boost for Oregon in the contest, but Moore will need to show something he hasn't to start the season.
Frankly, the offensive problems of Oregon aren't all on the quarterback. The offensive line has not been helpful thus far. The run game isn't as solid as last year. Oregon averaged 5.4 yards per rush last season. The Ducks are averaging 4.7 yards per rush this season.
