Oregon’s path to the College Football Playoff shouldn’t be this complicated. They have to win out, and they’re in as one of the Big Ten’s top at-large teams. But as the seventh-ranked Ducks prepare for their crucial matchup against No. 15 USC on Saturday, they’re dealing with a lingering setback that refuses to go away.

Pete Thamel dropped the news on ESPN’s College GameDay that $1.5 million star wide receiver Dakorien Moore will miss his third consecutive game with a knee injury, joining fellow wideout Gary Bryant Jr. on the sidelines. Oregon lost at home to Indiana and now needs USC and Washington to fall just right to have a shot at the Big Ten Championship Game. But losing its leading receiver in back-to-back massive games is not helping at all. 

The Ducks are staring down a scenario where two wins lock them into the playoffs as the Big Ten’s third-best team. But even one loss in their final two games could knock them out entirely.​ Moreover, USC is every bit a formidable opponent, and they haven’t won at Autzen since 2011. So, with the motivation building up and Oregon down a key weapon, the record might get settled today, once and for all.