BCS Rankings: 5 Reasons Why Oregon Won't Last Another Weekend at No. 2
Although the BCS rankings indicate otherwise, there is no doubt in many college football fans' minds that the best team in the country is the Oregon Ducks.
They're 7-0, are averaging over 55 points a game and are absolutely thrashing their competition.
Yet, for the second week in a row, despite a 47-point victory over UCLA, the Ducks came in at No. 2 in the BCS standings.
However, their matchup on Saturday at USC could play a huge role in determining if Oregon is indeed the No. 1 team in the country. Both the AP and coaches believe it.
If Ducks can upend the Trojans in L.A., maybe the computers will agree as well.
But, in the words of Lee Corso: "Not so fast!"
No team—not even Oregon—just walks into L.A. Memorial Coliseum and walks out with a win.
So, here are five reasons why Oregon's run as the No. 2 team in the country may end in SoCal Saturday night.
USC Quarterback Matt Barkley
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After a somewhat disappointing freshman season, maybe the most impressive quarterback in the Pac-10 so far this year is USC sophomore Matt Barkley.
He's been absolutely tearing it up.
In seven games, Barkley has completed 138 of 211 passes for 1,869 yards, 20 touchdowns and only four interceptions. Yeah, he's been that good.
On the other hand, Oregon's 'D' has been somewhat susceptible to the pass. Although the Ducks have already recorded 13 interceptions, they're allowing over 200 yards passing a game.
And, it's not like a premier quarterback hasn't already had a big game against the Ducks. Stanford's Andrew Luck only threw for 341 yards and two touchdowns in Oregon's 52-31 victory earlier this month.
Good quarterbacks are capable of putting up some big numbers against the Ducks and Matt Barkley is certainly a good quarterback.
USC's Rushing Attack
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Like Oregon, USC has a great rushing game. Already this year, as a team, the Trojans have rushed for 1,491 yards—or 213 yards a game.
Yeah, the Ducks have maybe the best running back and one of the best overall rushing attacks in the country. But SC isn't too shabby either.
Allen Bradford and Marc Tyler are leading the Trojans with 560 and 438 yards, respectively, and both are averaging over five yards a pop.
No, USC may not be able to stop the Ducks. But Trojans are going to be difficult to contain as well.
Needless to say, this has the potential to be a high-scoring game.
USC's Confidence
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No, USC football isn't having the best of years.
They've lost their head coach to the NFL; are on NCAA probation; can't play in a bowl game for two years and have already lost two games.
But, despite all that, the Trojans should be coming into Saturday's game full of confidence.
Think about it.
Their only two losses this year have come by a total of three points and both were decided on last-second field goals.
Then, despite that heartbreak, the Trojans came back to absolutely wallop Cal last week, 48-14.
No, USC doesn't have a whole lot to play for this year. But, they should be going into Saturday's game confident and ready to play the role of spoiler.
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
Oregon Road Struggles
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Yes, Oregon is 3-0 on the road this year. But, if you look a little closer at those wins, you'll notice that the Ducks played far from their best football.
Against Tennessee (one of the worst teams in the SEC), Oregon was actually down 13-3 late in the second quarter before they turned on the jets and scored 45 unanswered points en route to a 48-13 stomping.
Against Arizona State (a very average Pac-10 team), the Sun Devils had seven turnovers and the Ducks still only won by a margin of 42-31. Imagine if ASU hadn't treated the ball like a hot potato.
Against Washington State (maybe the worst team in a BCS conference), the Ducks won only 43-23 despite being 36-point favorites.
So no, Oregon has played anything but great football on the road this year.
USC is a very good football team. The previous three opponents were not. If Oregon plays anything like their previous three games, the BCS standings are in for another shakeup.
ESPN College Gameday
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As if Saturday's matchup wasn't big enough, ESPN College Gameday is headed to L.A.
And, in 2010 at least, history is on USC's side. In the previous eight stops the traveling pre-game show has made this season, the home team is 7-1.
Alabama (vs. Penn State), Auburn (vs. Clemson), Boise State (vs. Oregon State), Oregon (vs. Stanford), South Carolina (vs. Alabama), Wisconsin (vs. Ohio State) and Missouri (vs. Oklahoma) all came out on top when Chris, Lee and Kirk made appearances.
The only team not to win? North Carolina against LSU. But, in reality, the Tar Heels weren't even the home team in that game. It was played at a neutral site in Atlanta with North Carolina just being listed as the home team.
So, in that respect, one streak is going to end on Saturday. Oregon's seven-game winning streak or College Gameday's seven-game winning streak.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
