USC Trojans vs. Oregon Ducks: ESPN College GameDay Destination?

in another season of the popular college football show, ESPN College GameDay, analysts made their predictions where the traveling pregame show will land each week -- including the USC Trojans at the Oregon Ducks for the Week 13 prediction.

Nov 11, 2023; Eugene, Oregon, USA; USC Trojans head coach Lincoln Riley congratulates Oregon Ducks quarterback Bo Nix (10) after a game at Autzen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images | Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images

With the college football season right around the corner, ESPN’s College GameDay, the traveling college gameday show, is set for another season highlighting the best games of the week. Analysts made their predictions on where the show will land each week in the 2025 season – and one of the USC Trojans’ games was listed.  

For Week 13, the prediction placed College GameDay on USC at the Oregon Ducks. The Trojans return to Eugene for the first time in two seasons in Autzen Stadium – one of the most difficult atmospheres for any visiting team. 

The GameDay show in the fall has been around since 1987 as a studio show, and later transitioned to a travelling show with their first appearance in South Bend, Indiana for the Florida State at Notre Dame matchup. 

Nov 11, 2023; Eugene, Oregon, USA; USC Trojans running back MarShawn Lloyd (0) breaks away from Oregon Ducks defensive back Jahlil Florence (6) during the first half at Autzen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images | Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images

Today, the show is a staple of college football, leaving fans eager for their destinations each week. 

The Trojans have not been seen on College GameDay since 2016, when the USC traveled to Seattle, Washington for a Pac-12 game with the Huskies. The Trojans handed the No. 4 undefeated Huskies their first loss of the season. 

The last time USC hosted College GameDay was in 2013 – when No. 5 Stanford traveled to South Central for a late Pac-12 game in November. 

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The Trojans’ have a mountain of pressure heading into this season – whether it's the high expectation of quarterback Jayden Maiava to emerge as a top-tier signal caller, or for Lincoln Riley to lead the Trojans back to Playoff contention after their 7-6 finish in 2024. 

Prior to their Week 13 matchup with the Ducks, USC faces a difficult stretch of games potentially worthy of College GameDay’s attention – including at Illinois, Michigan and at Notre Dame. 

Nov 11, 2023; Eugene, Oregon, USA; USC Trojans head coach Lincoln Riley, left, and Oregon Ducks head coach Dan Lanning talk before a game at Autzen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images | Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images

The Trojans and Ducks matchup comes as the predicted best game of the week instead of Tennessee at Florida, Colorado at Arizona State, Arkansas at Texas and a rivalry game for Cal at Stanford.  

However, the Trojans' track record against the Ducks does not give USC fans much confidence in this year's game – especially on the Ducks’ home turf. 

USC has not defeated Oregon since 2016, dropping three straight games since then The most recent in 2023 was a 36-27 loss in Eugene, highlighting the need for improvement. 

The Ducks are down a significant number of starters after the program-record 10 players were drafted in the 2025 NFL Draft. However, this does not mean that head coach Dan Lanning has abused the transfer portal to make up for the missing pieces. 

Nov 11, 2023; Eugene, Oregon, USA; Oregon Ducks quarterback Bo Nix (10) embraces USC Trojans wide receiver Brenden Rice (2) after a game at Autzen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images | Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images

Key additions including quarterback Dante Moore, wide receiver Evan Stewart and corner Jadon Canady are expected to fill big shoes leaning into the 2025 season.

The Trojans filled the running back room with two promising transfers in New Mexico State’s Eli Sanders and Hutchinson Community College’s Waymond Jordan. While their previous teams do not match with Big Ten competition, both backs bring skill-sets that will fit perfectly into Riley’s offense. 

If the Trojans live up to national expectations, a game in Eugene with a potential College GameDay appearance, should be an exciting matchup for two Big Ten contenders.