Ducks eye upset of unbeaten USC
Find a pass rush: The defensive line was supposed to be a strength with the return of starters Austin Faoliu, Jordon Scott and Kayvon Thibodeaux but Oregon ranks 111th in the FBS in sacks (1.6 per game). If the Ducks can’t generate some pressure on Kedon Slovis, it’s going to be a long night for them in Los Angeles.
MVP! MVP!: The cancellation of the Washington game gave CJ Verdell, who was injured during a loss at Oregon State, some extra time to get healthy. Oregon hopes the junior running back can regain his 2019 postseason form when he was named the Pac-12 championship game MVP after rushing for 208 yards and three touchdowns in a 37-15 upset of then-No. 5 Utah.
Keys for USC
Slovis keep slinging: Slovis leads the Pac-12 in passing (320.2 yards per game) with 15 touchdowns and four interceptions. With RB Vavae Malepeai questionable with a knee injury, USC’s vertical passing game may have to carry the Trojans against an Oregon secondary that had Jevon Holland, Brady Breeze and Thomas Graham opt out before the season.
The battle for LA: Oregon, which recruits heavily in Southern California, signed the Pac-12’s top recruiting class on Wednesday after blowing out the Trojans last season at the Coliseum and then winning the Rose Bowl. This is a chance for Clay Helton to push back and get USC prepared to defend its home turf against Mario Cristobal and his aggressive staff.
Prediction
USC 41, Oregon 35: The Trojans will likely be left out of the College Football Playoff but Helton continues to survive after the Trojans remain unbeaten by dethroning the Ducks. These two programs are positioned to be the favorites to meet again in the 2021 Pac-12 championship game.