By Danny Atkinson
The USC Trojans have been ruling the Pac-10 Conference the entire decade. Winning two national championships and at least a share of the Pac-10 title every year since 2001 will earn a program top dog status. But this season, the Oregon Ducks have stepped up to challenge this status. Oregon is undefeated since its season-opening loss to Boise State, with victories over Utah, Cal and Washington. The Ducks are a very well-rounded team, and with USC having shown some flaws throughout the season, this is their chance to claim Pac-10 supremacy.
The Ducks began the season with an embarrassing loss to Boise State, but have been one of the hottest teams in the nation during their six-game winning streak, placing them solely in first place in the Pac-10. The Ducks have a balanced offense that the Trojans will have a hard time defending against. Oregon is ranked 11th nationally in rushing yards per game and average 34.0 points per game. Quarterback Jeremiah Masoli has produced 12 touchdowns, 7 on the ground, while only throwing 2 interceptions and running back LaMichael James .is average 6.9 yards a carry. What has allowed Oregon to take a leap as a program this season, however, is the vast improvement o their defense. The Ducks are 18th nationally in total defense and have allowed only three touchdowns in four conference games. Their defensive success is highly dependent on generating takeaways. Oregon’s 20 takeaways are first in the Pac-10. And their secondary could be a huge problem for USC QB Matt Barkley, who has been inconsistent in his freshmen season.
USC is in the thick of the race for a BCS national championship game berth, just as they seem to be every year. However, this Trojans team has not shown yet that they share the same talent level as some of the programs past contenders. As expected, freshman QB Matt Barley has been inconsistent, and much of USC’s offensive success in this game will hinge on how he handles Oregon’s touch secondary. The Trojans offense, ranked 13th nationally, has relied primarily on their excellent rushing attack this season. Leading rushers Joe McKnight and Allen Bradford have 11 TD’S between them and should be able to have some success against an Oregon unit allowing 118.8 yards per game. USC’s s defense has also been inconsistent on the year. After allowing an average of only 8.6 points in their first five games, the Trojan defenders have recorded two shaky contests in a row, with Oregon State rolling up 482 yards of total offense against USC in a close loss last weekend. The Trojans defense will have to get back on track if they want to shut down the Ducks, especially in shutting down the running game. Their 79.8 rushing yards allowed per game ranks fifth nationally, and if they have that kind of effort against Oregon’s multi-headed rushing attack, then they should be able to win.
Call me crazy, but I see a new top dog in the Pac-10, at least for this season. USC, as surprising as it is to say, does not have the horses to stop the Oregon offensive attack. Oregon has one of the most varied rushing offenses in the country, and even if they are able to slow the running game down, I believe Masoli can make great plays with his arm as well as his legs. On defense, the Ducks will be able to pressure Matt Barkley into one or two rookie mistakes that will swing the game. Both these teams have great offenses, and this contest will most likely be a shootout. In the end however, Oregon will just make more plays.
Oregon 31-28
