A key pac-10 title takes place in Eugene this
weekend, as the fourth-ranked USC Trojans invade Autzen Stadium to take on the
10th-ranked Oregon Ducks.
Pete Carroll's Trojans avenged their only loss from 2008 with last weekend's
42-36 shootout win over Oregon State. With the team's fourth straight win, the
seven-time Pac-10 champions moved to 6-1 overall and 3-1 in league play.
Carroll realizes that there is no room for error in the conference.
"This is a huge matchup for us and I think the team that wins the conference
is going to have to win out. You know, I think you're going to have to do
that. It's going to be amazingly challenging throughout the schedule."
The only team ahead of USC in the conference standings is Oregon. Since
dropping the season-opener to Boise State, Chip Kelly's Ducks have really
turned things around, winning six in a row, including a 43-19 rout of
Washington in Seattle last weekend to move to 4-0 in-conference.
USC holds a 37-16-2 advantage in the all-time series. These two teams have
split the last 12 meetings, but the Trojans have won four of the last five,
including a lopsided 44-10 decision last year.
Tailback Allen Bradford erupted for 147 yards and two touchdowns, leading the
Trojans to the win over the Beavers last time out. The success of the ground
game is nothing new for USC, which is averaging almost 200 yards per game
rushing the football (198.3 ypg). With players like Bradford (7.4 ypc) and Joe
McKnight (6.4 ypc) in the backfield, USC will continue to effectively run the
ball.
The ground game makes things a lot easier on freshman QB Matt Barkley, who has
played well despite his age. The youngster has completed just over 60 percent
of his passes this year, for 1,540 yards and seven TDs. Barkley's top target
downfield is standout WR Damian Williams (34 receptions, for 525 yards, three
TDs).
Despite the turnover on the defensive side of the football heading into 2009,
the Trojans have actually thrived, holding opponents to just 15.1 ppg, thanks
in large part to a stout run defense (79.9 ypg).
Forcing turnovers has not been easy (just nine in the first seven games), but
a feverish pass rush (29 sacks) cannot be overlooked.
Up front, the team gets great pressure on the quarterback from rush ends
Everson Griffin (29 tackles, 9.5 TFLs, 8.0 sacks) and Nick Perry (17 tackles,
8.0 TFLs, 7.0 sacks). The linebacking corps is highlighted by Chris Galippo
(48 tackles, 5.0 TFLs, 1.5 sacks, one INT) and Michael Morgan (36 tackles,
10.5 TFLs, 4.0 sacks). The play in the secondary is led by two-time All-
American Taylor Mays (team-high 49 tackles, one INT).
USC's rush defense will be put to the ultimate test in Eugene, as Oregon
possesses one of the top ground games in the country, averaging 210.7 yards
per game (14th nationally), on 4.7 yards per carry.
The team lost a key piece to the ground attack in the season-opener with the
suspension of LeGarrette Blount, but that has allowed freshman LaMichael James
to emerge. James is averaging nearly seven yards per carry (6.9) and 105.0
yards per game. He is also responsible for six of the team's 19 rushing scores
to date and is a real concern for the Trojans according to Carroll.
"LaMichael is averaging 6.9 per carry so he is obviously had tremendous games,
a lot of big, long break out plays where he's leaving guys in the dust."
Quarterback Jeremiah Masoli has completed over 60 percent of his
throws thus far, but is a real threat to run as well, netting 4.6 yards per
carry and leading the team with seven TDs on the ground.
The passing attack nets just 157.4 yards per game, but opponents still have to
concern themselves with standout tight end Ed Dickson (27 receptions, for 362
yards, four TDs).
The Oregon defense is just as responsible for Oregon's success as the offense,
if not more so. The stop unit for the Ducks is allowing just under 300 yards
of offense per game (297.1) and it has led to a mere 16.7 ppg for the
opposition. Big plays have been the norm, with the team registering 19
takeaways and 22 sacks.
Defensive end Kenny Rowe has been the team's best pass rusher, coming off the
edge to record seven sacks so far. Linebacker Casey Matthews (44 tackles, 2.5
sacks, one INT) has done a great job in the middle of the field. The
secondary, which has had to deal with season-ending injuries to players like
Willie Glasper (knee) and Walter Thurmond III (knee), still possesses
playmakers like safeties Javes Lewis (44 tackles, one sack, two INTs, one
fumble recovery) and John Boyett (43 tackles, two INTs) and cover corner
Talmadge Jackson III (26 tackles, two INTs).
Coach Kelly has been impressed with the defensive effort of late.
"You know I think they play together, they have a great understanding of the
system. The players know exactly how they fit within that system. They play
with passion, there's not one individual star on that side of the ball. We've
obviously seen some injuries in the secondary, but everyone's got a chance to
step up, a chance to play. They've really done a good job, and it's just
really how well we practice and how well they prepare I think is the key to
our success right now on defense."
This one could very well decide the Pac-10 title. The seven-time champs are
already a game back in the standings and if they struggle to get off to a good
start here, the Ducks have the kind of ground game to preserve a lead and move
a huge step toward a conference crown.
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