Oregon Ducks Quest for 2009 Pac-10 Title
A Win Against USC on October 31st Could Give Ducks Conference Title
This could be the season that the Pac-10 will see a new champion as the high flying Oregon Ducks are taking the Pac-10 and NCAA football world by storm.
The USC Trojans have won the past seven conference championships, and just like the Ducks, they too have dreams of playing for the 2010 National Title. However, an upset loss by Washington on September 19th could put the USC football dynasty on the outside looking in.
Ducks' first-year head coach Chip Kelly has his Oregon team currently sitting on top of the conference with a 3-0 Pac-10 record, and 5-1 overall. This quick start could help the Ducks in their pursuit of a Pac-10 crown, and even a BCS National Championship berth, but before thinking of the big game, they must tackle the conference giants USC Trojans.
Oregon opened their Pac-10 Schedule against the Cal Golden Bears who were then ranked sixth in the AP25 poll. The Ducks defense smothered Cal's running back, and Heisman hopeful Jahvid Best, while Oregon quarterback Jeremiah Masoli lead the high-powered offense to the win.
After their first conference win, the Ducks went on the road and trounced Washington State 52-6 and then defeated UCLA 24-10 at the Rose Bowl in Los Angeles.
Oregon has only allowed 19 points in their three conference games, and have been an offensive firestorm, scoring 118 points in the process (39.3 points per game).
USC Trojans vs. Oregon Ducks on October 31st, 2009
At the end of October, the Trojans will visit Eugene, Oregon to face the Ducks in what is being called the Pac-10 Championship game. Many believe that the winner of this game will either host this years Rose Bowl or, if things take a wacky turn, could end up in the 2010 BCS National Championship game.
The Trojans hosted the Ducks last season and won convincingly 44-10. Oregon will be using that loss as motivation for their game against the Trojans on Halloween.
USC coach Pete Carroll has not won a game in the state of Oregon in three years. Last year, the Trojans were upset 27-21 by the Oregon State Beavers.
This season, USC will be entering a hostile environment at Autzen Stadium in Oregon, which many have said is one of the toughest places to play in college football.
The Last time the Ducks hosted the Trojans was back in 2007 when they won 27-14.
Oregon's 2007 Season After Winning Against USC
After that win on October 27th, 2007 the Ducks had the Pac-10 title in their grasps and people were talking about Oregon going to the National Championship.
Their star quarterback Dennis Dixon had the Ducks ranked number two in the nation in November, but when he was injured in a game against Arizona, the Ducks could not recover. Oregon ended up losing their final three games that season, and settled for a Sun Bowl berth.
Oregon Ducks 2009 Schedule Post-USC Game
Oregon will play four more games against Pac-10 football programs to complete their 2009 season.
November 7th, 2009 at Stanford Cardinal
The Ducks have won seven in a row against Stanford, and also hold the longest winning streak against the Cardinal in Pac-10 history. Oregon came from behind last season to win 35-28 in Eugene, Oregon.
November 14th, 2009 at Arizona
November 21st, 2009 vs. Arizona State
December 3rd, 2009 vs. Oregon State
Aside from their game against USC, the Ducks other challenge will be against state rival Oregon State Beavers in the annual Civil War game.
Oregon leads the all-time series 56-46-10. The home team is 10-2 since 1997, but have lost the past two games to the visitors.
Last season the Ducks upset Oregon State in a 65-38 rout, and crushed their Rose Bowl dreams.
If Oregon wins against USC, then the Beavers will be looking to play spoiler to the Ducks' pursuit of the Pac-10 title, and their push for a BCS National Championship spot.
This could very well be the most dangerous game on Oregon's schedule if they win on October 31st.
Oregon's 2010 BCS National Championship Scenario
If the Ducks finish the season 11-1 (9-0 Pac-10) then they could very well be in the National Championship picture. With a little help from Big-12 underdogs and the fall of either Florida or Alabama in the SEC, then Oregon's chances at the big game will shoot through the roof.
If the BCS system computes properly, then Boise State and Cincinnati won't be anywhere near the National Championship this season given their soft schedules.
The Ducks could be in danger if Boise State goes undefeated this season because Boise State won the season opener against Oregon 19-8 at Bronco Stadium.
Hopefully the BCS gods will overlook the Ducks' lone blemish and take into account the number of ranked programs Oregon competed against, compared to the level of competition Boise State chose for their 2009 campaign.
The season is still young, and wild and wacky things happen every week, so don't count Oregon out just yet. There's a lot of potential for the Ducks to fly off with a Pac-10 crown and who knows, maybe even a BCS National Championship.
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