USC head coach Lincoln Riley, quarterback Jayden Maiava and defensive lineman Devan Thompkins squeezed into a white, canopy-style tent for the postgame press conference after the Trojans’ fourth straight loss to Oregon.

The opaque, plastic walls of the tent offered little protection from the chilled Eugene air. A bright, cardinal-red backdrop gave the makeshift room a false warmth. The weak, rosy glow of the room could not be felt.

“Great battle out there — two football teams really going at it,” Riley said, launching into his opening statement.

For weeks, Riley has subtly smiled when talking about what could be on the horizon for the Trojans: A big-time game against Oregon. A College Football Playoff bid. Much-awaited progress in USC’s rebuild.

USC (8-3 overall, 6-2 Big Ten) had the c

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