The USC Trojans have long been synonymous with college football excellence, boasting a legacy of championships, Hall of Fame coaches and players who have left indelible marks on the sport.
A Century of Rivalry
Oregon Ducks regard the Trojans as their archenemy, a rivalry that stretches back more than a hundred years and includes 65 meetings with USC holding a 38‑24‑2 edge. The intensity of that feud was amplified in 1995 when former Trojans wide receiver Keyshawn Johnson helped secure a 41‑32 victory over the Ducks in the Rose Bowl, a game that remains a touchstone for Oregon fans.
Carroll’s Reign and the UCLA Edge
During Pete Carroll’s tenure from 2001 to 2009, USC captured seven Pac‑10 titles and two national championships, establishing an 8‑1 record against UCLA that cemented the coach’s reputation as a mastermind of West Coast football.
The Notre Dame Connection
Since their first clash in 1926, USC and Notre Dame have produced a series that favors the Fighting Irish, who lead 51‑37‑5 overall. The 2005 “Bush Push” game, in which a last‑second push by running back Reggie Bush seemed to seal a Trojans win, remains one of the most debated moments in college football history.
The NCAA Conflict
The NCAA’s involvement with USC intensified after the Carroll era, as sanctions including bowl bans, vacated wins and the forfeiture of Bush’s Heisman Trophy turned the program’s triumphs into a cautionary tale about regulatory oversight.
Recent matchups have seen USC dominate the last four meetings with Notre Dame, even as Oregon has yet to claim a national championship, adding a new layer of intrigue to the rivalry landscape.
Looking Ahead
From 2026 through 2029 the Trojans and Ducks will not meet in the regular season, a pause that will end with a new scheduling agreement slated for 2030, promising fresh confrontations that could reshape the Pac‑12 dynamics once again.