Week 6: Oregon at USC

For all involved, it should be good that this game is not being played in Oregon. For some reason, whenever the Trojans visit that part of the Northwest they forget how dominant they can be, lose that feeling of abject superiority and do a face plant. It’s happened three consecutive times over three seasons, twice in Corvallis and once in Eugene. The good news is USC will be holding court in downtown Los Angeles this weekend. The Trojans will be reassembled, angry over their 27-21 upset loss to Oregon State and probably downright nasty in dealing with the Beavers’ rival school.

Oregon’s not bad, but there are just so many things you can reasonably expect from a third-string quarterback (Jeremiah Masoli) impersonating a starter, and beating a team still in the national championship on the road is likely not one of them. The Ducks come well fortified on defense lining up behind guys like senior defensive end Nick Reed and senior safety Patrick Chung. They have a nice one-two punch at running back with LeGarrette Blunt and Jeremiah Johnson, each coming off three-touchdown rushing performances at Washington State. Jaison Williams, with two TD receptions in Pullman, apparently is catching more balls than he’s dropping, always a challenge for him. But to throw Masoli to the Trojans at the Coliseum is like feeding bait to the whales at Sea World.

The Trojans are a little banged up, but naturally they have endless resources. Senior middle linebacker Rey Maualuga is as tough as any college football player, but he might not see the field after spraining his knee at Oregon State. If that’s the case, it just means outside linebacker Brian Cushing, even with a broken hand, moves to the middle and has more tackles come his way. Same thing if sophomore guard Zack Herberer (toe) or junior safety Taylor Mays (chest bruise) are laid up. Coach Pete Carroll will just plug in someone else who is highly capable. The collective ire of this team should make Oregon pay.

Notes:

Opponents still haven’t scored on USC in the third quarter, and have pushed across just six points collectively in the fourth. Oregon State must have had that in its scouting report, running to a 21-0 halftime lead and hanging on.

Sophomore Damian Williams, the Arkansas transfer, leads the Trojans in receiving with 16 catches for 234 yards and three scores, but he hasn’t started a game yet, deferring to senior Patrick Turner, who has 10 receptions for 149 yards and two scores.

Two sets of brothers will be on opposite sidelines for this one: USC senior linebacker Clay Matthews and Oregon sophomore linebacker Casey Matthews, and Trojans sophomore defensive tackle Christian Tupou and Ducks senior offensive tackle Fenuki Tupou. Only Fenuki Tupou is a starter, though Clay Matthews is being given a chance to earn a starting defensive end or linebacker spot in practice this week.

Oregon’s starting quarterback for its first three games, sophomore Justin Roper, appears to be recovered from his knee injury at Purdue, but has been sick and missed practice, making his return unlikely against the Trojans.

USC leads the series 36-16-2, but Oregon has won six of the past 10 meetings.

Key Player (Ducks) – LeGarrette Blount, RB

This huge, fast guy could give the Trojans troubles. The former Mississippi junior-college transfer has worked his way into the starting lineup and into the team rushing lead, with 66 carries for 481 yards and an Oregon-best eight TDs. That’s 7.3 yards per carry, and he has a long run of 72 yards. If the Trojans have an Oregon State hangover, this 240-pound back could make it worse.

Key Player (Trojans) – Mark Sanchez, QB

The true test for this guy is how quickly he gets his team moving again after its shocking stumble at Oregon State. The junior quarterback didn’t play too badly in Corvallis, save for a late interception that sealed that deal. He looks capable of getting the Trojans back in full throttle.

USC by 15