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College Pick’em
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Stop me if you have heard this before: The USC defense is allowing big plays, chunk yards and looks out of position. It appears the Trojans’ issues on defense root deeper than just former defensive coordinator Alex Grinch, who was fired last week after his unit gave up 52 points in a loss to Washington, as it gave up two long Bo Nix touchdown passes from yielded 330 total yards in the first half as No. 6 Oregon took a 22-14 lead into the break.
Thankfully for the Trojans, they put together an impressive drive near the end of the half that was capped with a 2-yard touchdown run from star quarterback Caleb Williams to cut the deficit to one possession heading into the locker room.
The Ducks opened the second half with an impressive 13-play, 85-yard drive that was capped with a 21-yard touchdown pass from Bo Nix to Tez Johnson, but it came at a cost. Oregon star running back Bucky Irving was seen on the broadcast needing assistance to the bench with an apparent ankle injury. While Irving was blocking, his ankle got rolled up on a USC defender. His status will be something to monitor.
Caleb Williams greatest strength is his ability to extend plays with his legs and dance around in the pocket to make something out of nothing. It also can lead to sacks and turnovers. Despite fumbling on first-and-10 inside Oregon territory, his team was able to recover before they were forced to punt four plays later.
Zachariah Branch elected to take the ball out on Oregon’s kickoff and he was tackled at the 8-yard line. Branch also had a critical drop that would’ve likely become a big gain a few plays later.
There was never a doubt that Oregon coach Dan Lanning would go for it on fourth-and-1. He is one of the more aggressive coaches in college football, and it appeared the Trojans defense got a major stop when Bo Nix didn’t gain any yards on the fourth-down play … until the referee pulled out a yellow flag because a USC player was offsides. That extended the drive and led to a 15-yard touchdown strike from Nix to Terrance Ferguson. Oregon elected to go for another 2-point conversion and failed.
It hasn’t been a great start for the USC offense outside of the second drive of the game. The Trojans failed to reach Oregon territory on that last drive and on the ensuing punt, USC was called for an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty. Will the Trojans force a stop for the first time on this drive?
USC should learn where Oregon wide receiver Troy Franklin is at all times because he just caught a pass over the middle and sprinted right by multiple USC defenders for a 84-yard touchdown. Nix is 2-of-2 for 161 yards and two touchdowns. That’s not a bad start for the Heisman hopeful. The Ducks elected to go for a trick 2-point conversion and failed.
After Oregon scored on its second offensive play of the night, the Trojans responded with a 10-play, 75-yard drive capped with a 5-yard touchdown run by MarShawn Lloyd. The USC star running back missed last week’s game against Washington due to an undisclosed injury and USC is certainly happy to have him back in action. This is expected to be one of the highest scoring games of the day and the action appears to just be getting started.
The Trojans defense still appears to be an issue even without Grinch calling the plays. On Oregon’s second offensive play from scrimmage, Bo Nix connected with Tez Johnson for a 77-yard touchdown to strike first. The Ducks are seeking a return to the Pac-12 title game, and a win over the Trojans would move them one step closer toward that goal.
Here comes the Ducks. On the opening drive of the night, USC reached Oregon territory before stalling on third-and-9. Oregon edge rusher Brandon Dorlus sacked USC quarterback Caleb Williams for a loss and the Trojans punted on the ensuing play. The Ducks pass rush was a major weaknesses in 2022 and that group has looked much improved in Dan Lanning’s second season at the helm of the Oregon program.
The Trojans are playing their first game without defensive coordinator Alex Grinch and that side of the football won’t be at full strength against a lethal Oregon offense. USC is expected to be without linebacker Eric Gentry, cornerbacks Jacobe Covington, Ceyair Wright and Jaylin Smith. Top cornerback Christian Roland-Wallace also will be a true game-time decision heading into the marquee matchup.
Saturday night in Eugene will feature reining Heisman Trophy winner Caleb Williams squaring off against a Heisman hopeful in Oregon quarterback Bo Nix. The former Auburn signal caller has revitalized his career with the Ducks and has the program on the doorstep of a return to the Pac-12 title game. Nix has been spectacular for the Ducks this season. He is the FBS leader with a 78.1% completion rate, which is on track to break the NCAA record set by former Alabama quarterback Mac Jones (77.4%). Nix also ranks fourth in passer rating (180.14) and passing touchdowns (25). Nix is still looking for his “Heisman moment” and that could very well happen this weekend if the Ducks get past USC. Nix checked in at No. 1 in the latest quarterback power rankings by CBS Sports’ Tom Fornelli:
Oregon and USC will be starting 15 minutes later than scheduled. The new kick time is 10:45 p.m. EST because of the Oklahoma-West Virginia game running later than normal. We will be witnessing some true Pac-12 after dark action because of the new start time in Eugene.
Following the 52-42 loss to Washington, USC fired defensive coordinator Alex Grinch after less than two years with the program. The Trojans defense has allowed 44.2 points per game over the last six contests and looked sluggish despite multiple marquee transfer portal additions in the offseason. Defensive line coach Shaun Nua and inside linebackers coach Brian Odom will serve as interim defensive coordinators for the rest of the season. Defensive analyst Taylor Mays, a former USC All-American defensive back, has been promoted to an on-field role as safeties coach to replace Grinch.
I know this number seems outrageous, but 74 total points seems like a given considering the way these two offenses produce. Like last week against Washington, it’s the kind of game that can see three or four touchdowns scored in just a couple of minutes, which is why you don’t want any part of the big spread (though the lean would be the underdog Trojans there). Take the over and buckle up for a wild late-night ride. Pick: Over 73.5 — Chip Patterson
Let’s take a trip down memory lane to Week 0 of the college football season. The Trojans were ranked No. 6 in the AP Top 25 poll and recorded a blowout win over San Jose State. Eleven weeks later, USC finds themselves unranked heading into a marquee matchup with future Big Ten foe Oregon after losses to Notre Dame, Utah and most recently, Washington. The Ducks have a chance to not only play for a Pac-12 title next month, but receive an invite to the College Football Playoff by running the table. USC can still reach the Pac-12 title game by winning out, but a loss would essentially ends those hopes all together.
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