Dan Lanning Bests Lincoln Riley; Ole Miss Faces Setback

On September 27, 2026, Dan Lanning's Oregon Ducks outperformed Lincoln Riley's USC Trojans in a decisive 41-27 victory at the Coliseum, despite the Ducks' starter Dante Moore going down early in the game. Backup quarterback Dylan Raiola stepped in and effectively led the team, marking a significant triumph over a previously ranked USC team that had been struggling this season.

Lincoln Riley, who had initially brought excitement to USC when he arrived in 2022, faces pressure as the Trojans have faltered since reaching the Pac-12 title game in his first year. Despite hopes expressed by Riley for a resurgence in his team, the loss against Oregon has raised concerns about their performance.

Moore's injury was unsettling, occurring from a controversial tackle by USC linebacker Desman Stephens II, which Lanning condemned as "disgusting." The incident overshadowed the game and led to discussions about sportsmanship within the USC program, as Stephens was seen celebrating despite the injury to Moore.

Meanwhile, the Florida Gators, now coached by Jon Sumrall, have quickly transformed into playoff contenders with a strong performance against No. 4 Ole Miss. Florida defeated Ole Miss 52-28, showcasing a potent offense that includes key players like Jadan Baugh and Duke Clark. This victory marks a turnaround for Florida, which had struggled in previous seasons under former coach Billy Napier.

In other notable matchups, Iowa pulled off an incredible last-minute win against Michigan, where Iowa's Hank Brown threw a touchdown pass as time expired, leaving the Wolverines devastated after their own recent controversial victory involving an extra second.

No. 1 Texas also managed to hold off No. 14 Tennessee in a tightly contested game, showcasing their strong defense and adding to the growing competitive narrative in college football this season.