Is it just me, or does every week seem like an entirely different college football season now?
Two weeks ago, Oregon looked like a bunch of Ducks with their heads cut off running around the field against Boise State, and the USC Trojans were the invincible lords of the west.
After Saturday, Oregon got their groove back against the Cougars, while the Trojans were shown to be mortal by a very physical Oregon State team in Corvallis.
This Saturday afternoon in the Coliseum could decide the inside track to the Pac-10 title. Despite their strong performance against the Trojans, the Beavers have already lost a game in conference, and one more slip-up would leave them all but eliminated from the title picture.
With that in mind, the Trojans could still win the Pac-10 for the umpteenth time in a row by running the table.
Oregon, on the other hand, is 2-0 in the Pac-10 despite their meltdown at home against the Broncos. If they beat USC, even a letdown against Cal or Arizona State would still leave them in the thick of the race.
Ducks fans are looking for any reason to give themselves a good feeling about their team having to play an opponent with the most raw talent in the nation away from the comforts of Autzen Stadium.
Some might be tempted to point out the similarities between the upcoming game and last year’s successful trip to Ann Arbor. Like the Wolverines, the Trojans are a team that was extremely highly regarded coming off a humbling loss to a less talented opponent.
Unfortunately for the Ducks, that is where the similarities end.
USC’s isn’t in the midst of a losing streak across seasons that will lead to a coaching change—they just hit one bump in the road. The Trojan players know that there is still a lot for them to play for. After all, they recovered from losses to Stanford and the Ducks last year to win the conference.
Also, like the Ducks after the Boise State game, they are pissed off and looking to take it out on somebody. Unfortunately for Oregon, they are the only other team on the field.
For all the publicity USC’s handful of losses in recent years has garnered, none of them has been by more than seven points, including last Thursday. USC has had more than a full week of practice to get ready for the Ducks and are hungry for redemption from last week and revenge for last year in Eugene.
If Oregon does pull off a win, you can bet your bottom dollar it will go to the wire.
The big question for Oregon’s offense, as it has been all season, is the passing game. Justin Roper’s knee has healed enough for him to play, but he was battling the flu earlier this week, and it is not known how much practice time he will get before Saturday. If the coaches decide he cannot go on Saturday, they will turn to Jeremiah Masoli.
Masoli certainly didn’t have a bad game against Washington State: 9 of 16 for 161 yards, two touchdowns, and no interceptions. However, he completed passes to a grand total of three different receivers, and his completion percentage certainly didn’t break any records for efficiency.
15 comments Last one added 9 months ago — Leave a Comment
Travis Rice 9 months ago
Wondering, when was the last time UofO won in the Coliseum? I don't think I was alive the last time OSU won down in LA.
Tough task, the Trojans NEED to win this game. Oregon is ranked and respected around the nation. The win against the Cougs felt good, but that's all it is.
If USC loses, there is no hope for a NC and in SoCal that's all the fans want. USC fans "settle" for the Rose Bowl.
Cheers to a change at the top of the Pac-10 and the surge of Oregon/Oregon State.
See ya late November.
USC 35 Oregon 24
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Johnmichael Monteith 9 months ago
Surprisingly, looking back over the history, there are many years that Oregon and USC did not play each other. That said, I remembered the victory in LA in 1994 (Oregon 22, USC 7) and we had another victory in 2000 in LA (Oregon 28, USC 17). There were a number of years in-between when we did not play, so it is not quite as lopsided as it might seem. I don't know the exact numbers, but I think starting in 1994, USC has won three times against Oregon in LA.
That said, I don't think the Ducks have a chance.
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David Hedlind 9 months ago
I believe the last time Oregon won at USC was 2000. since the start of the BCS Oregon leads the series 5-3, but carroll wasnt the the whole time either.
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Jeff Contizano 9 months ago
Blount and Johnson are a terrific two-headed monster for the ducks. They have to play physical and let it rip! I will be cheering them on, an Oregon/Oregon State matchup later in the year will be all the better for it. Go ducks.
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Brett Field 9 months ago
Oregon last beat USC in LA in 2000. Bellotti is 2-3 all time against Carroll, with wins in Autzen in 2001 and 2007, and losses in Autzen in 2002, 2005, and a loss in LA in 2006
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Larry Sigurdson 9 months ago
Great article T.H. **** and my POTD. Understand your apprehension and respect for SC. They have a bonanza of talent and P.C. is an excellent coach with an above average staff. But, with all of that said, SC isn't invincible and as OSU proved they can be beat.
Oregon has HC MB and he is at least as good a coach as PC and Oregon's staff is also as good as SC's. And when you look across the Duck roster at talent, it stacks up pretty well compared to the Trojans. In fact you'll find many of the players are from the same California high schools and often played together on the same teams.
I believe Oregon will be ready and that they are going to shock the nation with a 38-31 win over the Trojans.
Go Ducks!
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Cameron Jerde 9 months ago
USC couldn't failed the quizz against OSU. Guess what? Johnson is a much better slotback than Quizz. Plus Oregon has a great powerback in LeGarrette Blount, pretty good dual threats Masoli and Thomas, one of the best offensive lines in the country, and a great receiving corps.
Oregon's defense is none too shabby either. If Alliotti sticks to his gameplan when it's working, Oregon can win this game. It will be a close one though. I predict a 28-24 win for the Fighting Ducks
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Correy Retzloff 9 months ago
I am a Duck fanatic and I truly hope all your prediction come true. But here is reality, the Ducks have not had consistant play out of the QBs, Recievers, LBs and sadly their nationally ranked Secondary. If the Ducks are to pull this one out it will have to be straight up, hard nose and punch you in the mouth Football. Oh yah, and mistake free as well. If they can do that this will be a very close game that the ducks can win, if not then look at 40+ on the USC side of the score board.
No prediction just hoping for a great game.
GO DUCKS!
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Nick Martin 9 months ago
I love how you throw in the 2-0 record in conference.
Those two teams are THE worst teams in the Pac-10.
The reason Oregon State won was the passing game was there to help out when the Trojans starting loading the box. To bad the Ducks can't throw the ball.
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Nick Martin 9 months ago
USC 34 UO 20
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Cameron Jerde 9 months ago
Wow, Nick,
First off, why don't you just throw yourself off that high horse you think you are riding. Yeah, you beat USC, but it was not like you totally crushed them. You won by only six points for Christ sake. You let USC score quickly on you, which is never a good sign for a football team. Guess what? You lost to Stanford. Don't even act like Oregon State is so much better than Oregon, when you lost to Stanford, who is only ahead of Washington and Washington State.
Moevao is not that great either. Once you have a quarterback who can throw for 210 yards and 3 touchdowns, in one quarter, then come talk to me.
I really hate the thought process of Beaver fans. "Oh, yeah, we beat USC, so that makes us the best team in college football"
you know damn well that USC came in way overconfident. If they hadn't, you would've been CRUSHED. What's that? You lost to Utah on Friday? Utah was giving you the game, and you guys didn't even take the bait. What a bunch of morons.
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Nick Martin 9 months ago
Did I say we were better?
Once again you let emotion get in the way of actually comprehending my argument.
I'm saying the passing game of OSU was needed to complement Quizz.
and if the Ducks think theyll just run it down USCs throat they have another thing coming.
I love how you always stereotype the "Beaver fan". It shows your ignorance.
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Jeff Contizano 9 months ago
Beaver fans eh? I'm insulted!
Regardless, USC handled OU pretty well. I mean, I give Oregon props considering how far down the depth chart they've reached just to start a QB.
But the fact that USC limited the Blount to a fabulous 0 yard and Johnson to 45 is pretty indicitive considering Oregon had been putting up 300+ yards in the past few games. There is still plenty of season to go, and Roper may be back right?
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Tristan Holmes 9 months ago
It depends on what his illness was. If it was just the flu he could be back, but if it is mono he is probably out for the season
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Cameron Jerde 9 months ago
He should be back, it wasn't mono which is pretty good for us, but as it stands, it looks like Jeremiah Masoli and Roper have just the same amount of experience give or take a game. it will be interesting. I still think that if Oregon had started Thomas, we would've won the game. Masoli looked ok on the opening drive, but other than that, no.
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