There were more than a few pundits who stated before the season began that, if anyone was going to end Southern Cal’s record seven-year stranglehold on the Pac-10, this would be the year to do it.
While the Trojans’ reign is not officially over, it’s teetering on the brink and spontaneously imploding with each passing second thanks to a remarkable team -- and story -- from Eugene.
Once left for dead and buried amidst the debris of LeGarrette Blount‘s season-opening meltdown, No. 10 Oregon has staged a stunning comeback in the seven games since, culminating in their epic win 47-20 blasting of No. 5 USC tonight.
As if to slam an explanation point on what happened on the Autzen Stadium field, the 47 points scored by the Ducks were the most given up by a Pete Carroll-coached USC team.
The numbers were simply fugly all around for the Trojans. Oregon rolled up 613 (613!!!) yards of total offense, while USC’s offense could only muster a little more than half that total (329).
In more than any other aspect of the game, the Trojans’ run defense was filleted, exposed and laid bare for all to gawk at, giving up an astounding 392 (392!!!) yards on the ground. Running back LaMichael James led the Ducks with 184 yards, while quarterback Jeremiah Masoli chipped in with 164. All told, four different Ducks scored a rushing touchdown.
And, just for a little salt poured directly into the gaping wound, Masoli added 221 yards passing and a touchdown.
Given all of the above, didn’t we all see this -- meaning a win, not a beat-down -- kinda, sorta coming? After all, this marks the fourth straight year the Trojans have lost in the state of Oregon -- twice against the Ducks and twice against the Beavers of Oregon State.
The win pushes the Ducks to 5-0 in Pac-10 play with four conference games remaining. On the flip side, the Trojans fall to a 3-2 mark that leaves them with nothing more than a mathematical hope of an eighth-straight conference crown.
As astounding as it sounds after that dark, embarrassing day in Boise way back on Sept. 3, Oregon now controls its own destiny for a conference championship and, if a whole helluva lot of breaks go their way, a possible shot at the BcS title game.
Given how things have transpired for the Ducks in the last 58 days, nothing should be off the table as far as what this Chip Kelly-led team can accomplish.