USC Trojans' Biggest Question Entering Oregon Ducks Matchup
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Coach Lincoln Riley and the No. 12 USC Trojans have their first true test Saturday night against the No. 20 Oregon Ducks.
The easy schedule is over for the Trojans and, frankly, the excuses are over too. Now it's time to see what this team can really do. The Trojans looked quite overwhelmed in Week 3, in their Big Ten opener against Rutgers.
The Scarlet Knights gave USC a battle until the very end, just scraping off a 42-35 win. This was supposed to be a landslide win for USC, so the final score was very surprising to all. Worse yet, ESPN's College GameDay opted to back the SEC and feature No. 1 Texas and No. 14 Tennessee over the Trojans game
After the Rutgers game, the biggest question heading into the Trojans' fifth game of the season is whether the defense can hold off Oregon and their offensive power attack.
USC Defense Tormented Against Rutgers
USC's defense was one of the biggest trending topics across social media last Saturday, with most pointing the finger at Riley's team's failure to perform in road games. Others were quick to blame defensive coordinator Gary Patterson for failing to get his defense to click.
The Trojans didn't just give up 35 points to a winless Rutgers squad; they surrendered 460 total yards of offense. That was one yard short of what USC's offense had that game. This was expected to be a cakewalk for USC, preparation for the Oregon matchup.
Yet, the Scarlet Knights kept a nearly 24-point favorite USC team, per DraftKings, to just a touchdown score.
USC's secondary failed on various occasions to stop Rutgers star receiver KJ Duff, who caught 86 yards and a touchdown. The key for this secondary on Saturday night will be to contain the middle of the field. Against Rutgers, slant patterns were a nightmare for the Trojans.
Late in the fourth quarter, Rutgers receiver Vernon Allen III was left wide open on a slant that resulted in a touchdown.
The defensive front for USC was nearly non-existent last Saturday, recording just one sack on Rutgers quarterback Dylan Lonergan. If the Trojans want to limit Oregon on Saturday, they need to be able to fend off the Ducks' offensive line and get to quarterback Dante Moore.
Oregon's Loaded Offense
Speaking of Moore and the Ducks offense, they are coming off a much-needed big win against FCS opponent Portland State. The Ducks set a new program record for most points scored in the modern era with 84.
This follows a shocking upset in Stillwater in Week 2 against Oklahoma State. In that game, Moore had a sluggish start but mustered up the offense to bring the game within one score. He threw two touchdowns against the Cowboys, so even in a loss, Moore has shown that his talent for throwing the football is there.
Additionally, Moore has yet to throw an interception this season, something that Patterson and his defense can change on Saturday. Trojan safeties Prophet Brown and Christian Pierce each recorded an interception against Rutgers.
Oregon's receivers are coming off a seven-receiving-touchdown performance against the Vikings, with Messiah Hampton responsible for two. Their running backs rushed for a combined 273 yards and five touchdowns.
On a positive note, for the Trojans, none of the Ducks' running backs have rushed for over 100 yards this season. It's a perfect opportunity for the Trojan front line to take the running game away from Oregon, opting coach Dan Lanning and Moore to pass more.
Last year, the Ducks defeated the Trojans 42-27 in Eugene. USC will not just be looking for redemption but also to end a four-game losing streak to the Ducks. Saturday may just be the most important game in Riley's career and a perfect glimpse into the true nature of this year's Trojans team.
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This article was originally published on www.si.com/college/usc as USC Trojans' Biggest Question Entering Oregon Ducks Matchup.
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