Trojans Come Home to Face Oregon State

It’s been awhile since the Trojans played at home in the friendly confines of the Coliseum. And they get to exact a little revenge in the process against the Oregon St. Beavers.

The Beavers, you’ll recall, upset the Trojans last season in Corvallis behind the Rogers brothers (Jacquizz and James). Well, the Rogers boys are back, and SC will have to be prepared to stop them.

Here’s how the game shapes up:

Oregon State

Offense – RB Jacquizz Rogers leads the offensive charge for the Beavers averaging 116 yards per game rushing. QB Sean Canfield has been extremely efficient, completing 68% of his passes for 8 TDs against 4 INTs. WR James Rogers is also dangerous in the passing game, collecting 43 passes this season to lead the Pac 10. The OLine is not as good as it was last season. This unit has given up 19 sacks on the year, ranking 9th in the conference.

Defense – Oregon St. plays fast on defense, led by the underrated LB Keaton Kristick
Who leads the team in tackles, INTs, and TFLs. The DLine, however, doesn’t put a lot of pressure on the passer. They rank last in the Pac 10 in sacks with only (4) on the season. That pass rush weakness has led to difficulty in the secondary defending against the pass. The Beavers’ DB unit has given up 275 yards passing per game, and (11) TD passes so far this season.


USC

Offense – QB Matt Barkley has improved every game he’s started this year, and he could have a big game against the porous Beaver defense. RBs Joe McKnight and Allen Bradford will look to put their stamp on the game behind an OLine that now has Jeff Byers starting at Center and OG Butch Lewis joining the starting unit. Soph. fullback DJ Shoemate will also start in place of the injured Stan Havili. Look for WRs Damian Williams, returning starter Ronald Johnson and TE Anthony McCoy to find a lot of room in the Beaver secondary.

Defense – The challenge stopping the Rogers brothers starts up front with the DLine, and NT Jurrell Casey in particular. The DLine must force the hard to find and tackle Jacquizz Rogers to “dance” to find a hole, and the LB unit led by Chris Galippo must “clean up” before Rogers can hit the second level. Strong safety Will Harris will help by playing close to the line of scrimmage as well. Free safety Taylor Mays will need to shade over to Beaver WR James Rogers area to keep an eye on the crafty offensive playmaker.

Prediction:

USC – 31

OSU – 17