Big Ten season preview: USA TODAY Sports sees one key Oregon flaw

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USC football has a lot of questions to answer in 2026. Oregon might not have quite as many questions to deal with, but USA TODAY Sports identified a big one: Will the offensive line measure up for the Ducks?

"Quarterback? Check. Defensive line? Check, for sure. Defensive back seven? Check, thanks to newcomers such as safety Koi Perich. About the only area of personnel concern for the Ducks is up front on offense, where there will be three new starters around star center Iapani Laloulu and guard Dave Iuli."

What about other top Big Ten contenders USC will face this season? USA TODAY Sports wondered if Indiana's roster construction will work for Curt Cignetti this year:

"The defending national champions brought in a smaller but even more star-studded transfer class. How far the Hoosiers go on offense depends on the connection between new quarterback Josh Hoover (TCU) and new receiver Nick Marsh (Michigan State)."

Oregon's offensive line being the main question mark for the Ducks going into the season only magnifies the importance of USC's defensive line. It's hard to refute the assertion that the defensive line is USC's most important 2026 position group. If that unit plays well, the season probably comes together the right way. If it falls short, the Trojans will likely fall short of the College Football Playoff.

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This article originally appeared on Trojans Wire: Big Ten season preview: USA TODAY Sports sees one key Oregon flaw

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