GAME of the YEAR. That’s what I dubbed this game last Saturday morning about the time the bread man was delivering his goods to markets across the country. USC at Oregon is my favorite game of this season.

• #12 USC @ #4 Oregon

Another way to say it would be the 10th ranked offense at the 7th ranked offense and 6th ranked defense.

Or 8-2 at 9-1

Or Fresh-McNelly finalist Aaron Flowers hosting McNelly Award finalist Bishop Fitzgerald.

There are many ways to introduce this game that I believe will be the best of the season, but enough introductions, this is about previewing the action as it could unfold.

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At 1:30 on CBS, it’ll be in the 50’s with partly cloudy skies in Eugene, and Autzen Stadium will be alive as they welcome the USC Trojans to town. It’ll be opening day of duck season in my old neck of the woods, and more than a few greenheads will fall from the sky before the sun reaches the treetops. Will the Trojans have the firepower to bring down the fast-flying Eiders of Eugene?

Let’s have a look.

USC OFFENSE

The 10th ranked offense is led by QB Jordon Maiava. He’s 132 yards passing yards shy of hitting the three thousand mark and totaled 24 touchdowns, while throwing 6 Picks. (Two were on the road at Notre Dame in the pouring rain)

Redshirt freshman King Miller leads the Trojan ground attack with 763 yards and 5 Td’s while sophomore Bryan Jackson does well in short bursts and adds 4 touchdowns.

Wide Receiver Makai Lemon is the best offensive player on this team and will be hungry to make an impact. He’s 6th in receptions (71) and 3rd in yards (1090) and both he and Miller make strong efforts in the return game.

In my opinion, Lemon’s production is paramount for the Trojans to keep up offensively with the Ducks.

If he can’t produce, it will have to come from other sources. Jakobi Lane is one that has shown flashes at times but has been ‘drop’ prone in some key moments this season. Most notably, against Notre Dame in the rain. Another that could score is Tight End Lake McCree. He last scored on that rainy October 18th in South Bend and looks due.

Lincoln Riley has a more than competent QB, explosive running backs, an elite receiver, along with a few ‘gadget’ type players–will this be enough to score on the 6th ranked scoring defense in the land?

Before looking at the Ducks and their defense, we must first look at the Trojan Defensive impact players.

USC DEFENSE 41st ranked

• LB Eric Gentry 64 Tackles, 7 TFL, 5 FF, 3 Sacks
• S Bishop Fitzgerald- McNelly Award Finalist
• DUAL EDGE Threat- 14 TFL, 7 Sacks
  • Kameryn Crawford
  • Braylon Shelby

This defense has surrendered 30+ points three times this season and two of those games ended in losses: Illinois and Notre Dame. Keeping Oregon under 24 should be the goal, but how easy will that be? Not very.

Let’s meet the 9-1, playoff bound, home side Oregon Ducks.

OREGON 7th Ranked OFFENSE

• QB Dante Moore 72.8% completion rate, 168.6 QBR, 21 TD and 5 INT (two against Indiana)

Moore is one of the purest QB’s in the Nation. A true pure passer of the ball. In his last game against Minnesota, he completed 90% of his throws for 300 yards and two touchdowns. He is in the running for the Heisman but needs strong performances in the final two weeks.

• THREE Prong Running Back Attack: Noah Whittington, Jordan Davison, Dierre Hill
  • Over 1,00 yards between the three
  • 21 Touchdowns

• TE Kenyon Sadiq

The Ducks leading man in touchdowns and receptions.

• WR Dakorien Moore

The true freshman leads the Ducks in receiving yards with 443.

Fun fact, Moore is quite the speedster. Last year for Duncanville High (TX), he and LSU running back Caden Durham set the National High School record in the 4×200 relay.

–This is a balanced Oregon offense that prides itself on being efficient. how many will they score on the 41st ranked defense at home?

OREGON DEFENSE 6th ranked (13.7/ ppg)

Four Stud Linebackers lead the Ducks on defense.

• Teitum Tuioti 10.5 TFL, 5.5 Sacks, 2 FF
• Matayo Uiagaleilei 6.5 TFL, 4 Sacks
• Bryce Beottcher 81 Tackles, 3 TFL, 1 INT, 1 FF
• Jerry Mixon 39 Tackles, 4 PD, 2.5 TFL, 2 INT, 1 FR, 1 DEF TD

This quad threat covers a lot of ground and at least one or two of the four seem to be in on just about every tackle.

Another defensive group that is seemingly, everywhere is the Ducks secondary. One of the fastest and deepest secondaries in the country. “Go-go gadget arms” attached to lightning quick young men built like basketball two guards.

Fresh-McNelly award finalist Arron Flowers is my favorite in this secondary due to keeping up at such a young age.

Breaking this defense down will require patience and precision. Will Lincoln Riley’s high-powered offense be up for the task?

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I really have no idea. All know is that this is my most anticipated game of the season and the stakes in this one are extremely high. Both teams can make the playoffs. This game could be the difference in making the Chosen 12 at the end or earning a spot in one of the less important bowl games.

I truly have no idea what to expect, an Oregon 27-21 win would not surprise me, but the potential for a Trojan win is well within the realm of possibility.

One thing is for sure–Autzen Stadium will be alive.

Look for “Live Thoughts with Whit” to be posted Saturday evening to see how the game narrative went. Or better yet, tune into CBS/ Paramount at 1:30 and watch it yourself. I doubt this one will disappoint the oblong fan.

Until then,

Find the Humor and Keep on Movin’

Whit W.