For Once, John Canzano Is Right

In his column today longtime Duck antagonist John Canzano writes, "USC will reveal Oregon Ducks real potential on a national stage." For once, the Oregonian's resident Negative Nancy is right.

As good as the Ducks have looked in going 7-0, scoring a school record 386 points and rising to number one in the country's three leading polls, they've played one team with a winning record. They beat #12 Stanford and Andrew Luck by three touchdowns at home, but the rest of their victims are a combined 11-27 for the season. Their best road win this year is a come-from-behind victory over 3-3 Arizona State in which they gave up 597 yards of offense.

USC has more talent and more weapons than any team they've faced. Barkley has thrown for 20 tds. He has two solid tailbacks in Bradford and Tyler, and two of the conference's most dangerous receivers in Woods and Johnson. They'll have two weeks to prepare, and after the big victory over California, they seem to be hitting their stride. The Trojans can't go to a bowl this year. Lane Kiffin has to convince them that next Saturday night on primetime on ABC is the next best thing. The fact that the Ducks embarrassed them last year on Fright Night 47-20 provides extra motivation.

Oregon has passed the point where they are likely to be intimidated by the Trojan aura or Trojan history or Trojan mystique. Lane Kiffin isn't likely to mouth "f-you" from the opposite sideline after a replay challenge. But USC is a serious step up from the competition Oregon has dominated in the season's first seven games. From here on, the Ducks will face games where the starters may need to make plays in the fourth quarter.