Over the past three years, Oregon football has significantly outplayed USC. Although USC had a better season in 2022, Oregon has been far stronger since. With Dan Lanning as head coach, Oregon is now 46-8. The team has adapted well to the Big Ten. They went unbeaten in their first season to win the conference title. In 2025, they posted an 8-1 record.
USA TODAY Sports released rankings for Big Ten teams ahead of the 2026 season. The rankings showed a surprising shift. Oregon landed at third place. Indiana came in second, just behind Ohio State. Indiana was once a mid-tier program. They turned around quickly after their 2024 season. The Hoosiers went undefeated and won the national title that year.
Despite Oregon's stronger recent record, USA TODAY gave Indiana the edge. The Hoosiers won 27 games in two years. That shows fast improvement. Oregon remains a top Bowl Subdivision program. It lacks a national championship. But it has reached semifinals in recent seasons.
Oregon has climbed, but it hasn't won the Big Ten's last three national titles. Those went to Michigan (2023), Ohio State (2024), and Indiana (2025). Both Oregon's Dan Lanning and USC's Lincoln Riley are still waiting for a national championship game win. Neither has led their team past the semifinals.
Even with their success, Oregon and USC both realize they are not at the top of college football. They are close but still chasing the elite teams. Both programs have shown strong performances recently. Yet, they haven't reached the level of the top-tier schools.
Oregon's achievements are clear. Its win-loss record and Big Ten success are strong. Still, it has not matched the dominance of recent national champions. The same is true for USC. Both teams are making progress but remain outside the ultimate elite tier.
For Oregon, the challenge is to close the gap. They have built a strong foundation under Lanning. A national championship remains out of reach. USC faces a similar challenge. Their coaching change under Riley has not yet led to a title.
The situation shows that college football is a fast-moving sport. Teams can rise quickly. But staying at the top is hard. Oregon's and USC's efforts are clear. Yet, they still need to reach the next level to join the elite.