#18 USC (8-2, 5-2) at #4 Oregon (9-1, 7-0)
Autzen Stadium at 5 p.m. pacific on ABC or ESPN3.com
Duck to Watch: Junior RB LaMichael James
While Los Angeles native and former USC verbal commit De'Anthony Thomas is the more compelling story, James (pictured) is the nation's leading rusher averaging 150.88 yards per game. "His quickness," LB Dion Bailey described James' best attribute. "He can go from A to B super fast. He can change direction as fast as anybody in the country."
Click the link to learn more about the Ducks:
11-USC.pdf
3 Keys
Duck in a Hole
Oregon has a tendency to cruise through the first half before systematically wearing down and blowing away the opponent in the second half. If the Ducks get off to a slow start, the Trojans need to make them pay and build a double-digit halftime lead. With all the attention on the favorite, USC will want to put as much game pressure on the BCS title contenders.
6 > 3
While ball control is theoretically a good strategy against Oregon, the Ducks are undefeated in conference play despite being last in time of possession. More importantly, the Trojans need touchdowns. Field goals do not win games at Autzen. Red zone offense is predicated on a strong running game. Curtis McNeal has provided the most consistent rushing attack in Lane Kiffin's short tenure as USC head coach.
The Other Thomas
Oregon junior QB Darron Thomas has never lost a conference game as a starter. While he has a touchdown pass in 22 straight games, the Trojans defense still needs to force Thomas to put it in the air. In the loss to LSU, he threw it 54 times because the Tigers held the Ducks to 95 yards rushing. If Monte Kiffin's defense can come anywhere near those numbers, the Trojans will be celebrating the biggest win of the Lane Kiffin era.
(Photo by Jon SooHoo)
Autzen Stadium at 5 p.m. pacific on ABC or ESPN3.com
Duck to Watch: Junior RB LaMichael JamesWhile Los Angeles native and former USC verbal commit De'Anthony Thomas is the more compelling story, James (pictured) is the nation's leading rusher averaging 150.88 yards per game. "His quickness," LB Dion Bailey described James' best attribute. "He can go from A to B super fast. He can change direction as fast as anybody in the country."
Click the link to learn more about the Ducks:
11-USC.pdf
3 Keys
Duck in a Hole
Oregon has a tendency to cruise through the first half before systematically wearing down and blowing away the opponent in the second half. If the Ducks get off to a slow start, the Trojans need to make them pay and build a double-digit halftime lead. With all the attention on the favorite, USC will want to put as much game pressure on the BCS title contenders.
6 > 3
While ball control is theoretically a good strategy against Oregon, the Ducks are undefeated in conference play despite being last in time of possession. More importantly, the Trojans need touchdowns. Field goals do not win games at Autzen. Red zone offense is predicated on a strong running game. Curtis McNeal has provided the most consistent rushing attack in Lane Kiffin's short tenure as USC head coach.
The Other Thomas
Oregon junior QB Darron Thomas has never lost a conference game as a starter. While he has a touchdown pass in 22 straight games, the Trojans defense still needs to force Thomas to put it in the air. In the loss to LSU, he threw it 54 times because the Tigers held the Ducks to 95 yards rushing. If Monte Kiffin's defense can come anywhere near those numbers, the Trojans will be celebrating the biggest win of the Lane Kiffin era.
USC needs a healthy Robert Woods to fly past Oregon.
(Photo by Jon SooHoo)
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