Keys to victory for the Oregon Ducks vs. USC Trojans

This one has been circled on the calendar for both programs since they met last November. The rivalry between the Oregon Ducks and USC Trojans is well documented , and it's only grown to be more intense in recent years as the Ducks have consistently been part of the national picture, while pressure mounts on the Trojans to make the playoff field.

Dan Lanning and Lincoln Riley have plenty on the line this week, in terms of their future program success and in terms of this season. Dante Moore and Jayden Maiava were both tremendous in this game last season, and plenty of points are expected to come from their offenses again this weekend. Both offenses will be without key weapons , including Jeremiah McClellan for Oregon and Trent Mosley and Corey Simms for USC, but that doesn't dilute the firepower that will hit the field on Saturday.

The defenses are another story. The Trojans surrendered 35 points to lowly Rutgers last week, and 30 points to Louisiana the week prior. Oregon was torn apart on the road by Oklahoma State because of a lack of discipline at the line of scrimmage, and the Ducks played from behind throughout. If the Ducks are playing catch-up in Los Angeles again this weekend, it could be a long day.

However, I do think there are more ways for Oregon to win this game than there are for USC. The Ducks have been tested more than the Trojans, and the Ducks have plenty of depth to work with across the field. There are a few areas where the Ducks need to win to get their season back on track. Let's take a look at three keys to help Oregon score a massive rivalry victory against USC on Saturday night.

This was a key last week, and the Ducks did a good job. Obviously, USC is going to be a tougher opponent defensively this week than Portland State was last week. Still, Oregon needs to run the ball on early downs and stay in short-yardage spots on second and third down. Last season, that's exactly what the Ducks did.

Oregon lived in short-yardage spots in this game last season and converted on 7-of-12 third-down attempts. Dante Moore was able to open up the play-action game in short yardage, and part of that was because of the threat Jordon Davison posed on downs with a distance of three yards or less.

The Ducks haven't run the ball well this season, and USC's front seven is much improved. I trust USC's defensive line to generate pressure, but I don't trust the depth on the defensive line or at linebacker as the game goes on. If Oregon can run the ball early, the gaps will only get bigger late in the game.

I think this game could follow a similar script to last season's game, where Moore has plenty of success throwing the ball for big gains because the Ducks can keep the Trojans off balance in short-yardage situations. The offensive line struggled on the road earlier this season, particularly at tackle, but if the Ducks play in short-yardage situations, that will influence how USC chooses to rush the passer. If the Ducks are also hitting on short passes early on, threat neutralized.

There are plenty of ways for Oregon to win this game, particularly on offense. The Ducks have not been in good situations on third down often this season, and that is the make-or-break down in this matchup. Penalties and a lack of execution on first down held the Ducks to just 34.6% on third downs against Boise State and Oklahoma State. Oregon has preached improving its discipline and leadership since the loss, and this is the opportunity to prove there is some merit to that by staying ahead of the chains.

Both offensively and defensively, the biggest factor in this game for Oregon might be out wide. The Ducks have been more pass-happy to start the season, and their defense has also been shredded through the air. I expect USC to attack the secondary like the Trojans did last season in this matchup, and Oregon should do so as well.

The Trojans' secondary is banged up, with Alex Graham and Jontez Williams both potentially playing with injuries. Dakorien Moore and Evan Stewart are going to be leaned on by Dante Moore , and the Ducks need to win in their routes early. Being physical as a receiver often comes with size, but Stewart has a track record of winning jump balls downfield, and Moore is a threat to beat any corner off the line of scrimmage with his feet. Offensively, that's where the Ducks need to win.

On defense, the Ducks can't be afraid of USC taking shots downfield. USC has young receivers that will be facing a higher level of competition for the first time, and this is a big prove-it game for Brandon Finney Jr. , who struggled in this game last season. The Ducks directed a lot of attention to Makai Lemon last season, and Tanook Hines had a breakout game against the Oregon secondary. Finney, in particular, struggled with penalties and was beat for jump balls on the sideline.

I need to see Finney, who might play more out of the nickel this week, step up and prevent USC's receivers from getting on their line at the snap. The same goes for Ify Obidegwu , who had an interception in this game last season, and Na'eem Offord on the perimeter. Oregon has played plenty of zone this season, but I think the Ducks can win in man this week if they are aggressive at the line of scrimmage and knock the Trojans around.

This is also a big game for Koi Perich and Aaron Flowers to play responsibly on the back end, because USC is going to take its shots. But the Trojans haven't faced much adversity this season and a physical defense. Oregon has the opportunity to set the tone early. The Ducks have committed more than their fair share of penalties this season, so the Trojans will want to expose that, but Oregon has a chance to flip the script if they can play physical at the line and get their heads turned around on the back shoulder throws.

It's a rivalry game. Lanning noted this week that this is "not just another game," despite what some players and coaches, even Moore, would want you to believe. There is a lot on the line for both teams and the future of each program in terms of their dominance of the recruiting area in Southern California. Lanning and Riley are both facing pressure to win for some of the same and some different reasons.

The Ducks panicked on the road against Oklahoma State when things weren't going their way. That can't happen against a USC offense that is built for a track meet. This is a game where it can be easy for one player to think they need to be Superman and win the game on their own. That's where teams fail to execute, relying only on instinct and not what they have prepared for by watching film and practicing throughout the week.

Oregon has to show growth this week to signal that the potential many saw for the program this season is still alive. Linebackers can't overpursue in the run game. Edge rushers need to read the option. The offensive line can't have pre-snap penalites and needs to get to the second level. No dropped passes. Simply put, just do your job.

Both rosters are very talented, but Oregon has more depth at each position to keep up if this game gets wild and high-scoring. USC doesn't have the depth up front defensively, so if Oregon can execute well, then the end of the game could be its to lose. Don't get swept up in the stakes of the game and the rivalry itself. If Oregon is truly the better team, it should execute accordingly. Play loose and play free.

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