USC vs Oregon: Can the Trojans handle the speed of the Ducks?

A	The Ducks will win because the Trojans won't be able to handle Oregon's speed.

B	The Trojans will be able to slow down the Ducks and will win this game.

In week 12 of the 2011 college football season, the #18 USC Trojans travel to Eugene, OR to play the #4 Oregon Ducks in Autzen Stadium. The Ducks are coming off their biggest win of the season over the #9 Stanford Cardinal. The difference in that game was Stanford was unable, once again, to keep up with Oregon's speed.

This week, the Ducks face a depleted USC team currently battling through NCAA Probation and Sanctions. The Trojans may not have depth, but they are highly talented at most positions. A key distinction between Stanford and USC is the Trojans have deep threats at the wide receiver positions with Robert Woods and Marqise Lee, and the Cardinal didn't. Like the Cardinal, USC also has a prototype NFL quarterback in Matt Barkely.

The Ducks will have to contain and stop the Trojans passing game if they want to win this game. Woods and Lee are as good as they get, and both are a threat to score touchdowns whether they catch short passes and have to make plays with their legs or catching the deep ball. The Trojans are 23rd in the nation in passing offense, 28th in total offense, and 4th in sacks allowed. Basically, they have a great offensive line and they like to and are good at throwing the football.

USC's offense is great, however, this game will decided by whether the Trojans defense can handle the speed and play-making ability of Oregon's offense. In particular, for the Trojans to upset the Ducks at home, they will have to stop the Ducks run game. Statistically, the Trojans are great at stopping the run and are ranked 8th in the nation giving up only 100.40 yards on the ground per game. However, upon deeper scrutiny, the statistics are misleading. If you glance over USC's schedule, they have only faced one great running back in Chris Polk of the Washington Huskies.

I expect the first half to be a good game with the Trojans keeping it close. However, in the second half, Oregon's Heisman Trophy Hopeful, LaMichael James, and crew will take over by wearing out the thin USC defense.Once the Trojans start getting tired, their defense won't be able to handle Oregon's speed. The Ducks are favored by 14.5 points for a reason. For USC to win this game, they have to contain Oregon's team speed on offense. I don't think the Trojans have a chance!

USC vs Oregon: Can the Trojans handle the speed of the Ducks?

Ducks Fans

USC vs Oregon: Can the Trojans handle the speed of the Ducks?

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