Even in the off season, college football related drama is never hard to come by. Due to some recent NCAA transfer portal pick-ups by the Oregon Ducks, some USC fans are circling their 2025 game at Autzen Stadium on November 22nd as potential for revenge.
So, why are Trojan fans so upset with the Ducks? Look for transfer portal moves in the trenches. So far, Oregon picked up defensive lineman Bear Alexander with his commitment on December 20th and interior offensive lineman Emmanuel Pregnon just committed to the “O” on Tuesday, January 14th.
Both former Trojans are four-star transfer portal commits as well as being ranked in the top four transfer portal athletes for both of their respective positions. According to On3 Sports, Oregon currently reigns as the top high school and transfer portal classes of 2025. The Ducks currently sit at No. 6 in both categories, making their combined score higher than all other programs in the country.
Combined 2025 @B1Gfootball High School & Transfer Class ranks per @On3sports👀 pic.twitter.com/XZWSg9OTAT
— Double BB🌟 (@BBsBigHouse1) January 9, 2025
USC currently ranks at No. 15 in overall combined recruiting classes, with the No. 68 transfer class and No. 14 high school class for 2025.
Combine the losses of Pregnon and Alexander with these numbers, USC’s offensive line rebuilding with only two starters returning and a new offensive line coach in J’Onre Reed, five departing defensive tackles (including Alexander), and coach Lincoln Riley’s 6-win 2024 season (the worst record since his arrival), and you can see why some Trojan fans decided to point their swords in the direction of their Big Ten Conference foe and first year conference champion: the Oregon Ducks.
A majority of criticism lobbed at Alexander and Pregnon include their previous transfer portal statuses. Alexander transferred to USC in April of 2023 after enrolling with Georgia in 2022. Pregnon joined the Trojans in April of 2023 as well after spending three years with Wyoming.
For this betrayal, we whipping your feet when we come to Eugene 👊🏾😵💫#CollegeFootball 🏈#FightOn ✌🏾🗡️ pic.twitter.com/rHNdd7HHHu
— Zooloo_Trojan ⚔️✌🏾 (@Zooloo_Trojan) January 14, 2025
#USC lost a player to #Oregon. pic.twitter.com/IxZVMkPr0T
— Message Board Geniuses (@BoardGeniuses) January 14, 2025
Straight SUCKA move. It’s alright though teddy bear and this JABRONI. going to get the all the smoke next season! ✌🏽#Fighton https://t.co/cTi2oIRqv5
— UNCLE BOOM (@UncleBoom44) January 14, 2025
After the see our new and improved defense, they gon’ bitch up like they always do #DawgWork ✌🏾🗡️ pic.twitter.com/hzHpojIHbY
— Zooloo_Trojan ⚔️✌🏾 (@Zooloo_Trojan) January 14, 2025
Due to this onslaught of posts online, many USC fans are circling their 2025 season match-up against Oregon on November 22nd in Eugene. This will be the first time these two teams have met within their new conference. Since 2010, Oregon has won six of the last eight game played against the Trojans, with one of their three games played in Eugene during that time period resulting in a loss. Oregon’s overall home record against USC is 14-14-1.
After the barrage of recent posts from USC fans, Alexander took to social media to provide a prompt response by quoting an announcement of Pregnon joining him on this upcoming Ducks’ squad.
Back like we never left 😁🦆🦆 https://t.co/Yl7EEv3UAg
— Bear Alexander (@BearAlexander_) January 14, 2025
Alexander’s post currently has fans from both USC and Oregon arguing in the comments. Looking forward, it seems like this off-season drama could provide some extra fuel for fans searching for fresh rivalries in the Ducks’ second year in the Big Ten.