USC Trojans: Why Oregon Is a Bigger Game Than Ohio State

October 31, 2009

The USC Trojans (6-1) play at the Oregon Ducks (6-1) today in Eugene, Oregon. USC faces a dangerous team in Oregon and the potential to lose thier bid to the national title game, as well as the Pac-10 title.  Here are five reasons this game is bigger than when USC played at Ohio State earlier this season.

USC is 0-3 playing in the state of Oregon in the last three seasons

October 28, 2006 - The undefeated Trojans travelled to Corvalis, OR to play the 4-3 Beavers to lose 31-33 on a failed two-point conversion.

October 27, 2007 - An injured John David Booty sits out with a broken finger and watches his Trojans lose to the Ducks in Eugene, OR 17-24.

September 25, 2008 - After defeating currently ranked No. 5 Ohio State at home, USC travels to Corvalis, OR only to be upset again 21-27.

Can you think of a scarier place than Oregon for Pete Carroll on Halloween?

Winner of this game will likely be the 2009 Pac-10 champion

Oregon is the only school undefeated left against the Pac-10 (4-0). If USC wins this game and wins out the rest of the year they will be crowned Pac-10 champs. If USC (3-1 in the Pac-10) loses this game, they will need to hope Oregon (who’s toughest game left is at No. 20 Arizona) loses three of their last four Pac-10 games, or they will not be playing the Rose Bowl for the first time in four seasons- that is, also, if Oregon also does not play in the BCS championship instead.

Anyone know where the Holiday bowl is played?

Ohio State hasn’t beaten anyone in the top 25 this season

Ohio State, currently ranked No. 17 in the BCS Standing, has so far played opponents with a combined record 32-37 (not including USC). Purdue (3-6) defeated Ohio State a few weeks ago capturing only their second win of the season. The Buckeyes have to play at Penn State, ranked No. 12, and No. 4 Iowa at home, but they haven’t proven that they are a great team yet by not defeating any other great teams and squeezing by with a weak schedule.

Can you say overrated?

USC hasn’t defeated a team that has beaten any team currently in the top 25 this season

Oregon is the only team in USC’s schedule to have already beaten another team in the top 25.  Those teams being Utah, currently ranked No. 16 in the BCS standings, and Cal, currently ranked No. 24 in the BCS standings.

USC plays No. 20 Arizona on December 5, 2009.  Arizona still has Cal and Oregon to play before facing the Trojans at the Coliseum, but has only played one game against a school in the top 25 so far, Iowa, which they lost 17-27.

Who would’ve thought playing in the Pac-10 was bad for your strength of schedule?

This isn’t November yet

Pete Carroll’s record as the Trojans’ head coach in the month of November is 27-0.  USC plays Oregon on Halloween, just one day before the start of their glory month.

Can the Trojans survive one more day?

Photo: LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 04: Ronald Johnson #8 of the USC Trojans runs in for a touchdown after making a catch as Patrick Chung #15 of the Oregon Ducks tries to catch him during the game on October 4, 2008 at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Robert Laberge/Getty Images)