The table has been set. Everyone knows what the stakes are for the Ducks and Trojans today. This Halloween match-up won’t decide the Pacific 10 Conference by its lonesome. Arizona, Stanford and OSU still pose huge hurdles for the Ducks if UO can stave off the Trojans.
But this could prove to be a “moment in time” for the Oregon program. The Ducks seemed ready to burst through that glass ceiling in 2007 after their last victory over USC. Unfortunately for Oregon, Dennis Dixon’s knee didn’t stick to the gameplan. The Ducks still have only one BCS game to their name (just the facts jack) so doubling that total would mean the world to Chip Kelly and Co. Today’s game feels similar to the 2007 matchup. This is a primetime event. The nation is watching. It’s truly an opportunity to showcase the university and the football program across the nation. The Ducks recruiting pipeline is extending, and young men who never cared or thought about Eugene are starting to care now.
The Ducks have a reputation of being the gilded fortunate sons. That’s inescapable to a certain extent, but Oregon’s identity is changing and they can capitalize on that today. The Ducks play fast, hard, and tough on both sides of the ball. They are not teflon tigers (okay, maybe their knees are a bit problematic). This is a tough football team. Now they can hit the mighty Trojans in the mouth and affirm that identity on a national stage.
Here are some keys to the game for the Ducks:
- Rattle Matt Barkley. The young stud quarterback seems to think Autzen Stadium is not going to play a factor. Casey Matthews and his linebacking brothers need to put the golden boy on his back. If the Ducks get to Barkley, their chances rise exponentially.
- Score on defense or special teams. This is Oregon’s calling card thus far this year. Young Cliff Harris needs to step up big today, and a defensive touchdown would go a long way in that regard.
- The Ducks need to establish the run, but take shots down the field. Ed Dickson had a signature game earlier this year against Cal. A 100-yard receiving day against the Trojans in a victory cements Ed as the best TE in Oregon history. I think Jeff Maehl or DJ Davis has a big catch in today’s game. Oregon needs to test the USC secondary.
- Swarm. Swarm the ball carriers, swarm the receivers, swarm the sidelines. The Duck defense has been astoundingly good the past five games. If they play like that again, the Ducks can upset the Trojans.
- Limit turnovers, especially in your own territory. There can be no muffed punts. No fumbled zone read options from Masoli. None of the little miscues the team has had to overcome in recent weeks. The Beavs showed last week that you can’t beat the Trojans playing sloppy football. Oregon hasn’t played its best yet this year. The Cal game was close. They can play a flawless game today, but it’ll be difficult.
Prediction: The Trojans don’t have the mojo of the Leinart, Bush, White years just yet. They’re talking a big game here. I would expect nothing different. But the fact is Notre Dame and Ohio State are not playing the same game as the Oregon Ducks are right now. The Buckeyes are vastly overrated. Notre Dame…we know how Notre Dame is. The Beavs could’ve and should’ve beaten USC last week, and now the Ducks know they can do it. It’s Halloween, in Eugene, with a top ten matchup. I can’t see the Ducks losing this game. The Autzen crowd pulls Oregon through this one.
UO 37
USC 24
Should be an exciting game.