Written by Robert Henry
We may be looking at the future of the PAC-12 division this Saturday when we see the USC Trojans face off against the Oregon Ducks. Both teams have been struggling a bit this season but overall, both teams should be better than how they have played thus far. Oregon has been struggling far more than USC, but they were able to bounce back a bit with a win over Arizona State. USC took a few losses before they were able to execute their offense the way they like it, in a winning position. Although the Trojans look like the better team, you can never rule out anything from happening in a PAC-12 divisional game. Time, and time again we have seen upsets when two teams play each other in their respected divisions.
The Oregon Ducks had a big win this season when they defeated the Arizona State Sun Devils. Once the Ducks found their rhythm on offense it was Oregon’s game to win. Quarterback Justin Herbert, a 6’6”, 225-pound freshman, came in a few weeks back for Oregon during the loss to Washington disaster. Then, when Herbert and the Ducks faced off against the California Golden Bears, he proved his capability by throwing six touchdowns, while throwing for 489 yards. He also put up four touchdowns against the Sun Devils.
The Ducks need to do something about their defense though. They have the nation’s second worst defense in college football as they are allowing 530 yards per game. Oregon will most likely come up with some great plays and give USC a run for their money, but the defense at some point, will most likely crumble.
The USC Trojans have seemingly turned their season around by giving the offensive reins to quarterback Sam Darnold, a redshirt freshman. Darnold was given the starting job for the Utah game and played wonderfully, even in a loss. He and the USC offense are finally starting to look like the team we all expected them to be at the beginning of the year. Darnold has led the team to four consecutive wins, with at least five touchdowns in the last two games.
The USC offense has to be excited for the upcoming match up against the Ducks defense. The Trojans should have a fairly easy time rolling through the Oregon defense. With all the praise on Darnold, we need to address his problems with ball security. If the Oregon Ducks can force some key turnovers, the tide may switch. Darnold fumbled the ball four times against Colorado and three times against Cal.
Oregon has definitely fallen from the greatness that they were in 2014, but hopefully they can turn it around in the coming years. The Ducks just haven’t been able to find a replacement for Marcus Mariota, who helped the Ducks to the College Football Playoffs in 2014. This game could possibly show the football program that they need to rethink the way they run their defense and how they have been recruiting. The Trojans need to take this game very seriously, or they could be looking at a .500 season. With a team as talented as the Trojans, there is no reason to be looking at a .500 season. If USC continues to power through against Oregon, we could see an explosive blowout. The game is scheduled for Saturday November 5th at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in sunny Los Angeles, California. Catch the game on ESPN at 4pm PT.
The Oregon Ducks had a big win this season when they defeated the Arizona State Sun Devils. Once the Ducks found their rhythm on offense it was Oregon’s game to win. Quarterback Justin Herbert, a 6’6”, 225-pound freshman, came in a few weeks back for Oregon during the loss to Washington disaster. Then, when Herbert and the Ducks faced off against the California Golden Bears, he proved his capability by throwing six touchdowns, while throwing for 489 yards. He also put up four touchdowns against the Sun Devils.
The Ducks need to do something about their defense though. They have the nation’s second worst defense in college football as they are allowing 530 yards per game. Oregon will most likely come up with some great plays and give USC a run for their money, but the defense at some point, will most likely crumble.
The USC Trojans have seemingly turned their season around by giving the offensive reins to quarterback Sam Darnold, a redshirt freshman. Darnold was given the starting job for the Utah game and played wonderfully, even in a loss. He and the USC offense are finally starting to look like the team we all expected them to be at the beginning of the year. Darnold has led the team to four consecutive wins, with at least five touchdowns in the last two games.
The USC offense has to be excited for the upcoming match up against the Ducks defense. The Trojans should have a fairly easy time rolling through the Oregon defense. With all the praise on Darnold, we need to address his problems with ball security. If the Oregon Ducks can force some key turnovers, the tide may switch. Darnold fumbled the ball four times against Colorado and three times against Cal.
Oregon has definitely fallen from the greatness that they were in 2014, but hopefully they can turn it around in the coming years. The Ducks just haven’t been able to find a replacement for Marcus Mariota, who helped the Ducks to the College Football Playoffs in 2014. This game could possibly show the football program that they need to rethink the way they run their defense and how they have been recruiting. The Trojans need to take this game very seriously, or they could be looking at a .500 season. With a team as talented as the Trojans, there is no reason to be looking at a .500 season. If USC continues to power through against Oregon, we could see an explosive blowout. The game is scheduled for Saturday November 5th at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in sunny Los Angeles, California. Catch the game on ESPN at 4pm PT.