The Showdown . . . USC Faces Oregon

Well, it doesn't get any bigger than this . . . at least right now. The Trojans travel to Autzen Insane Asylum to face a hot Oregon Ducks team.

The season hangs in the balance for USC who is fighting to stay in the BCS bowl picture - and a loss at this point would be devastating to SC's BCS rankings. Oregon already choked a game away to CAL and is fighting to maintain its lofty BCS rating (#5). A perennial "also ran"in the national/conference picture, Oregon knows its season is on the line as well. A win over SC would make Oregon legit around the country.

Let's break this puppy down:

Oregon Ducks:

Offense - This offense is humming with the number one rushing game in the country. QB Dixon is finally taking care of the ball, as the team leads the conference in turnover margin. Dixon is also passing efficiently, completing 69% of his passes with 16 TDs and only 3 INTs. Offensively, the team has lost a couple of WRs and even a key RB in the last two weeks, but they keep putting up points. RB Jonathan "Snoop" Stewart is having the AA year everyone expected, leading the Pac 10 in rushing with almost 1,000 yards in seven games. WR Jaison Williams will be the go to guy downfield.

Defense - Although this unit is middle of the road in all of the main defensive categories, they get really stingy in the red zone. They have given up the fewest TDs when opponents get inside their 20 yard line in the Pac 10. So they bend, but don't break. Safeties Matthew Harper and Patrick Chung lead a defense that is not really strong in the front seven, but again locks down when they have to.

Special Teams - Kicker Matt Evenson is solid on FGs making 9 of 12. Kick returns are handled by Snoop Stewart who averaging 30 yards per return and leads the conference.

USC Trojans:

Offense - It doesn't get any bigger for QB Mark Sanchez who will probably start his 3rd game of the season. COMPOSURE and NO TURNOVERS will be Sanchez's buzz words as he is known for getting a little too hyped up which will only feed the animals at Autzen stadium. The running game will be key as "running to set up the pass" should be the order of the day. OG Chilo Rachal comes back to help, and a set RB rotation of CWashington, SJohnson and JMcKnight will have to be super productive. TE Fred "The Truth" Davis will again have to put on his cape and be Superman for the passing game. Hopefully, the WRs can help out by hanging onto 3rd down passes which will keep drives alive.

Defense - Oregon's unstoppable running game meets the immovable force in SC's run defense now ranked 3rd in the country. The key for SC is the DEs (LoJack, KMoore and EGriffen) - they must stay outside and contain the spread option running of QB Dixon . . . let the LBs and DTs handle the inside running of Stewart. The Safeties (KEllison and TMays) will also have to be sharp because the passing game of the Ducks is surprisingly efficient on short and intermediate routes.

Special Teams - this unit could be a difference maker for SC if the Trojan offense stalls. Good field position is a must, so the return game must be on point: NO MISTAKES, MR. McKNIGHT.

FG kicker DBuehler can also keep SC scoring if Oregon's defense continues its great red zone play.

Prediction Time:

This one is tough, but . . .

USC - 24

Oregon - 17