The 9th-ranked USC Trojans (6-1, 3-1) will face by far their toughest test of the season on Saturday afternoon, when they travel to Eugene, Oregon to take on the 5th-ranked Oregon Ducks (6-1, 3-1) at Autzen Stadium. It is a must-win game for USC, as is every game for the remainder of the season if they want a shot at a return trip to the Rose Bowl, let alone an appearance in the National Championship game. However, playing at Autzen is always a tough assignment, and it is made tougher this year by the strength of the Ducks. Oregon uses a balanced and high-powered offensive attack, led by senior quarterback Dennis Dixon (69% completions, 1,728 yards, 16 touchdowns) and junior tailback Jonathan Stewart (940 yards, 7 touchdowns), who have combined to help make the Ducks second in the nation in points per game and yards per game.

In last year’s matchup at the Coliseum, the Trojans defeated the 21st-ranked Ducks 35-10, behind three touchdowns by Chauncey Washington, with USC holding Oregon’s ground game to 102 yards. In 2005, the Trojans scored 45 unanswered points to come back from a 13-0 deficit late in the first half. USC has a three-game winning streak against the Ducks, and has won the past two matchups at Autzen, with USC’s last loss in the series coming in 2001 in Eugene. (The teams did not play each other in 2003 or 2004.)

Here is USC’s official injury report, as of Monday afternoon:

• POSSIBLE: TB Stafon Johnson (foot), OT Sam Baker (hamstring), OT Charles Brown (ankle), QB John David Booty (finger), OG Chilo Rachal (knee), OG-C Nick Howell (hernia).
• QUESTIONABLE: OG Zack Heberer (shoulder), C Kristofer O’Dowd (kneecap), TB Broderick Green (foot), DE Trey Henderson (knee).
• OUT: TB C.J. Gable (abdomen), WR Travon Patterson (foot), TE Jimmy Miller (back), LB Chris Galippo (back), S-CB Josh Pinkard (knee), CB Kevin Thomas (shoulder), OT Martin Coleman (shoulder), WR Damian Williams (shoulder).

The big question for the Trojans, of course, is who will start at quarterback. Pete Carroll indicated on Sunday that coaches would try to name a starter earlier in the week (as compared to last week, when Mark Sanchez didn’t learn he was starting until Friday). Whoever starts should have additional protection, as this week could see the return of one or more offensive linemen such as Chilo Rachal, Kris O’Dowd, Thomas Herring, Nick Howell, Sam Baker, or Charles Brown–or in a best case scenario, all of the above. As always, TrojanUpdate will have daily updates with the latest quarterback status–and other news–from the practice field.

Saturday’s game begins at noon and will be televised on Fox Sports Net. The Ducks are favored by 2.5 points, marking the first time this season that the Trojans are the underdogs.

More articles and stats for each team: TrojanUpdate’s Game Preview: USC-Oregon
Official game week press release (Official USC site)
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