NCAA Football Week 6: Oregon Ducks vs. USC Trojans

No. 23 Ducks and No. 9 Trojans fight for Pac-10 supremacy

Oregon Ducks vs. USC Trojans Overview:

The Pac-10 was supposed to be the playground of the University of Southern California Trojans, but an upset loss to the Oregon State Beavers dropped them to No. 9 in the rankings and put the men of Troy in a chase position for a BCS Title. The No. 23 Oregon Ducks lost to the raging Boise State Broncos but have been 2-0 in Pac-10 play and lead the elite conference. Both teams are coming off stinging losses to smaller schools and both want to jump back onto the BCS Championship track.

Oregon Ducks Offense:

The loss of QB Dennis Dixon and RB Jonathan Stewart to the NFL has done nothing to slow the Oregon Ducks offense. The QB situation is a bit murky as starter Justin Roper returns from injury with an excellent player in Jeremiah Masoli in his place. The quarterback situation has no bearing on the running game of the Oregon Ducks however. RBs LeGarrette Blount and Jeremiah Johnson have combined for over 900 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns. The Oregon Ducks spread offense also shares the wealth with plenty of wideouts like Jaison Williams.

Oregon Ducks Defense:

The rolling offense of the Oregon Ducks needs a great pass defense to preserve leads and the secondary does not disappoint. S Patrick Chung is a headhunter in the open field and commands the Oregon Ducks secondary. CB Walter Thurmond has the ability to be a shutdown corner and is an interception machine. Giant DT Ra’Shon Harris is an excellent run stopper in the traditional Oregon Ducks model. Like most Pac-10 teams, the Oregon Ducks favor speed and athleticism over power with the exception of their defensive tackles.

USC Trojans Offense:

The USC Trojans offense has the best minds in football running it and perhaps the top talent in the NCAA. QB Matt Sanchez was a Heisman favorite until the Oregon State Beavers game. With a pro-level arm and a great sense for the game Matt Sanchez has All-American potential. RB Stafon Johnson pounds the football up the middle while RB Joe McKnight has fans in Los Angeles seeing visions of Reggie Bush. The USC Trojans do not have superstar wideouts or tight ends, but their depth is outstanding.

USC Trojans Defense:

The USC Trojans had difficulty tracking down the tiny Jaquizz Rodgers against the Oregon State Beavers, but adjustments have been made. The USC Trojans will reshuffle their defensive line around but will keep starters DT Fili Moala and DE/OLB Clay Mathews. MLB Rey Maualuga and OLB Brian Cushing are two of the best in the NCAA and are certain first-round picks in the 2009 NFL Draft. The USC Trojans also have the top Safety combo in the game in Taylor Mays and Kevin Ellison.

Oregon Ducks Keys to Victory:

The Oregon Ducks will follow the gameplan laid by the Oregon Beavers and will attack with the running game. The Oregon Ducks may not have a microscopic weapon like Jaquizz Rodgers but they do have a pair of stallions in Jeremiah Johnson and LeGarrette Blount. The questionable quarterback situation could not be a factor if the two running backs gash the front seven of the USC Trojans. A healthy helping of the run game will also draw Taylor Mays and Kevin Ellison into the box so that the subpar corners of the USC Trojans will be matched one on one.

Ra’Shon Harris provides enough beef up front to plug the gaps the USC Trojans will try to open. The front seven of the Oregon Ducks is stout with veteran leadership, and they have all seen the USC Trojans before and will not be intimidated. The secondary of the Oregon Ducks is full of speed and CB Walter Thurmond can take away one side of the field by himself. S Patrick Chung has the task of tracking down Joe McKnight as he moves around the field, and he must bottle up the quick athlete.

USC Trojans Keys to Victory:

The USC Trojans failed to establish the running game against the Oregon State Beavers, and the pressure on Matt Sanchez got to him. RB Stefon Johnson may have trouble busting through the portly wall of Ra’Shon Harris in the middle so Joe McKnight will be asked to attack the Oregon Ducks defense on tosses, screens, and stretch plays. Freshman TE Blake Ayles will be asked to get more playing time to open up the middle of the field. FB Stanley Havili must dominate in run blocking and in the receiving game as a wildcard against the athletic Oregon Ducks.

The quarterback position of the Oregon Ducks is their main offensive weakness, and the USC Trojans must exploit it. To do so, the run game of the Oregon Ducks must be shut down. DT Fili Moala has to pick up his game to soak up blockers for Rey Maualuga. For three-straight seasons, Rey Maualuga has terrorized the Pac-10, and his presence can redirect the running game. Safeties Taylor Mays and Kevin Ellison are the size of linebackers and hit like them too. LeGarrette Blount and Jeremiah Johnson present much bigger targets than Jaquizz Rodgers.

Oregon Ducks & USC Trojans Overview:

Like the Big 12 and the SEC, the Pac-10 is packed with teams that could be BCS Championship contenders. All of the teams have great talent and coaching is the only real difference in teams. The Oregon Ducks have surprised the Pac-10 by victimizing all their conference opponents with one of the best offenses in the NCAA. The USC Trojans also made a name for themselves by destroying teams like the Ohio State Buckeyes and Virginia Cavaliers.

The USC Trojans may have stumbled against the Oregon State Beavers, but head coach Pete Carroll is tops at making adjustments. The USC Trojans defense is being modified to stop the run and should have a new look on the line when the Oregon Ducks come to Los Angeles. The Oregon Ducks offense can run over anything, but the questionable QB play makes them totally one-dimensional. Even the mighty offense of the Oregon Ducks cannot take on the USC Trojans with the running game alone.