In the case of USC, the weather could be particularly detrimental due to the crux of their offense being based on Barkley making plays with his arm. It should also be noted that Woods is playing at about “70 percent” according to USC head coach Lane Kiffin, as Woods nurses shoulder and ankle injuries which could be augmented by the potentially frigid temperatures if he in fact plays. Oregon’s offense is far more run based, though at times is predicated on pitches and deft ball handling by the quarterback to execute a particular play. Managing the weather and each team’s ability to successfully nullify its affect on their respective games will be essential to victory. Follow Chris Courtney on Twitter at eDuckCCourtney
Woods is the leader SC WR and nearly had double the catches as #2. He accounts for 1126 (112 ypg) and 11 TDs. Major hit for USC. Sucks. He also leads the jellies in K and P return with approx 500 yards. If it's a windy and cold night and Woods isn't able to go, or does go at a fraction of full strength - it could be TO time.
Woods caught 2 passes for 5 yards against UW. He was a decoy last week. I'm not sure what the Stanford game has to do with anything, because that was 3 weeks ago. USC has played CU and UW since then.
Because it was also noted in that game that he might not play and he did anyway. College injury reports are about as bad as the New England Patriots injury reports. Usually misleading or just false. Like I said I think he plays and even at 70% he'll be one of the best players out there at any position.
Woods missed another practice. Going against Oregon's hard hitting secondary, in the Autzen cold, isn't an ideal situation for his overall health - which is more important than playing vs Ducks. He's ranked 4th in NCAA with 92 receptions and 11 touchdown catches and some say he's one of the best WR's in SC history - and that says a lot. Anyone questioning if he's really hurt can look at his atrocious #'s vs a terrible UW defense - 2 catches for 5 yards. The guy is really hurting. I think you're all giving Kiffin too much credit. Remember, this IS Lane - the same guy who is credited with destroying Tenn football and when he heard DAT was heading to Oregon gave a little chuckle and said, "You're kidding, right?" I agree, we'll prob see Woods but he'll play the role of decoy. He'll prob get jacked up on the LOS a few times by our jamming DB's and call it an early night.
He was still a threat, which meant we couldn't focus entirely on Lee. Even if he wasn't playing at full strength, the guy made a huge difference.
Anything that comes out of Kiffins mouth is cosidered suspect! This guy slithers with the best snakes in football!