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USC's Playoff Hopes Hinge on Oregon Showdown
23 Nov
Summary
- USC (8-2) and Oregon (9-1) face a critical Week 13 matchup.
- USC's offense struggles with third-and-long situations.
- Oregon's defense excels at early downs and tackling.
The upcoming Week 13 college football game pits the No. 15 USC Trojans (8-2) against the No. 7 Oregon Ducks (9-1) in a critical matchup where both teams desperately need a victory.
USC's playoff aspirations hang by a thread, necessitating a perfect finish to their season. Their offense thrives on early-down success but becomes predictable and vulnerable when facing third-and-long scenarios, averaging over seven yards to gain. This is precisely where Oregon's defense excels, ranking high in early-down EPA allowed.
Oregon's strong tackling and ability to shrink passing windows pose a significant threat to USC's offensive identity. The Ducks' defensive profile, particularly their coverage on deep and intermediate throws, and their effective tackling, are expected to stifle USC's chunk plays and limit yards after the catch, making it difficult for the Trojans to sustain drives.
