Adam Bradford revisits pregame predictions from USC's loss to Oregon

On Saturday, the USC football team fell 42-27 on the road to Oregon. Prior to the game, I gave five predictions for the contest.

How did my picks fare? Let’s take a look back at them and see.

No love from ESPN

"ESPN's College GameDay will broadcast live from Eugene ahead of the game. My prediction is that no more than one of the show's analysts picks the Trojans to win."

Sure enough, the entire GameDay set picked Oregon to win.

Another slow start

"Over the past few games, USC has fallen behind early. That continues in Eugene, with Oregon scoring the game's first touchdown."

USC actually opened the scoring with a touchdown on its opening drive. However, it would be the only lead that the Trojans would hold the entire game.

Losing the ground game

"As we discussed, Oregon has one of the best rushing attacks in the country, and USC has struggled with its physicality on the road. The Ducks outrush the Trojans by at least 50 yards."

50 yards turned out to be an optimistic estimate. USC got outrushed 179-52.

Look mom, one hand

"It feels like seemingly every week, Makai Lemon and/or Ja'Kobi Lane makes at least one spectacular catch. On Saturday, we get at least one one-handed grab by a USC wideout."

USC's receivers had several very difficult catches on Saturday, but I do not believe that any of them involved only one hand.

Getting covered

"Per CBS Sports, Oregon is currently favored by 9.5 points. Unfortunately for the Trojans, I think the Ducks win the game and cover the spread. Lincoln Riley proved me wrong against Nebraska. Can he do it again?"

Oregon won the game by 15.

Overall performance

I went 3-2 this week. That feels like a fitting metaphor for USC's 2025 season: not awful by any means, but certainly not up to expectations.

This article originally appeared on Trojans Wire: Adam Bradford revisits USC football at Oregon predictions