USC reminds me of Oregon last year. Slow out of the gate under a new coach but gaining momentum as the season progresses. I understand it's a cliche' as a top rated team playing in the Pac, we cannot overlook any team, but USC has a lot of reasons to potentially hand Oregon their first loss. 1. Bye week for USC. 2. This is considered USC's bowl game 3. USC averaging nearly 500 yards a game 4. Barkley's rating is currently around 170! 5. Bradford and Tyler are averaging nearly 7 yards per carry 6. USC WR's have size advantage and pose a tough matchup 7. USC at home 8. USC has momentum after hanging 48 on Cal. 9. USC lead Cal 42-0 on halftime before taking the foot off the gas pedal I have a lot of confidence in Oregon, but fans shouldn't expect this to be a blowout. USC is a worthy opponent. We are going to need to confuse Barkley and bring end and middle blitzes while not allowing any WR/DB separation, otherwise we are going to get picked apart. USC has a suspect defense. This one is going to be a 'barn-burner'!
This is a game that is almost a non-winning situation for Oregon. If Oregon blows out USC, it's just an indication that the Pac-10 is soft and Oregon's entire conference schedule is suspect. If Oregon wins a shootout, it's just proof that the Pac-10 plays no defense and Oregon is further discredited. And if Oregon loses, no matter how, to USC, it's just further proof that Oregon was a paper tiger and USC is and always will be the only team in the Pac-10 worth caring about. In my opinion, getting out of L.A. with a win, regardless of how it's done, will be all the Ducks can hope for.
I agree. I think fans are coming to expect Oregon to blow out everyone on their schedule. We had the luxury of having USC at home last year. I don't see this one being easy. This one will be close but hopefully equals the W.
I have faith we'll get it done. Its going to be tough here on out though, were going to be getting everybody's best shot.
We've got to pressure Barkley while not giving the talented USC WR's space. Fun matchup but scary, yes! Honestly, I've never had my college team at #1. I remember #3 or so, but every single game is so huge right now! What a great time to be a Duck fan.
I'm not sure that their crowd will be as excited to try and dethrone a #1 as other crowds who rarely get to be #1 would be. But maybe I underestimate their pride. I guess I just don't respect Angelinos.
I'm worried about this game. Big time. Maybe not as worried as I am about the game at Cal, but pretty damn worried. Home field advantage is just a huge deal in CFB. More so than in any sport, IMO.
I agree that home field is HUGE but I think (or hope at least) that the dominance at the Coliseum was more due to how LOADED that SC has been the last decade. Their crowd isnt a factor in games IMO and they arent as deep now (thank the good Lord) so hopefully a new history is starting this weekend
I had a nightmare last night that we lost. I was changing channels back and forth. I changed to the game. We were down 30-19 at the half. I changed back later and Trojans fans were wearing our Ducks helmets and celebrating in sort of a Return of the Jedi ending. It was creepy.
I haven't confirmed this but I heard the home team has won the last four games. Home field advantage is important in this series. I'm so glad we had Tenn on our schedule and our players were able to experience that and come away with a win.
Me too. USC is so confident right now coming off that blowout of Cal and then having the Bye week to prepare for our Spread. This game scares me more than Cal, Arizona, Oregon State . . . for so many reasons. Home field IS huge. The thing that nobody is talking about is that USC still has 5 Star athletes at almost every position. Their defense has played bad at times, but it's not for lack of ability. Focus? Experience? Fundamentals? Not always there, but they are fired up for this game, had 2 weeks to prepare, and they have the athletes to play with us. We're not going to overwhelm their defense athletically like we have other teams. Last week it wasn't just the scheme or the pace, UCLA didn't have the speed on defense to keep up. USC does. Much has been made about their defense tackling poorly, being out of position, and just not executing in general. But they still have athletes. They still have Monte Kiffin. And they had 2 weeks to prepare. Biggest test of the season IMO. We already know that SC is going to score some points. Can we keep our poise, protect the ball, and take what the defense gives us? It might not be in the cards to have 4 play, 80 yard TD drives in 1:30 tonight. How will Thomas & co. react?
Yeah, it's scary, but I think their plans might backfire. You can't completely change a conditioning regimen over the course of the week and expect it to hold. I think it will actually have detrimental affects on the Trojan defense. They might be tired earlier than other teams that were well rested entering their game against the Ducks.
