USC Doesn’t Want to Repeat History
USC is not using the word revenge, but they want to beat Oregon State this year.
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CORVALIS, OR - SEPTEMBER 25: Jacquizz Rodgers #1 of the Oregon State Beavers runs with the ball against the Southern California Trojans at Reser Stadium on September 25, 2008 in Corvalis, Oregon. (Photo by Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images)
Last season, USC had a big cross-sectional win against Ohio State, then came out in their next game flat and lost to Oregon State.
Last week, USC had a big cross-sectional win against Notre Dame, and look who is up on the schedule… Oregon State.
You can be sure that the Trojan players remember Oregon State and that game. They remember Jacquizz Rodgers running through their defense seemingly untouched. They remember their national title hopes dying in Corvallis. USC fans still wake up in a cold sweat with nightmares about that game.
You would think that with those memories this year USC will be focused… but you also never can predict how 19- and 20-year-olds will react to anything.
All week long, Pete Carroll has been preaching focus (but not revenge). Dramatic as it was, time to move on from Notre Dame. He played the disrespect angle from the BCS computers, which have held the Trojans back to seventh in the title game hunt.
Still, there is unease in Trojan nation. USC has had a history in recent years of let downs in these games. Like the loss to Stanford a few years back.
There are good signs. The last time USC lost to Oregon State at home Dwight Eisenhower was president (John F. Kennedy would win the election that year), To Kill A Mockingbird was released and a kid named Cassius Clay won the gold medal for boxing in Rome. It’s been a while.
Plus, USC should be able to score, Oregon does not put much pressure on the quarterback and when given time Matt Barkley has been impressive (to say the least).
However, the main challenge will fall on the Trojan defense — they have to stop Rodgers. The small, fast, elusive back is averaging 116 yards per game and has 13 touchdowns this season (more than any one Trojan). The Beaver offense seems to be hitting its stride.
If USC can force Oregon State into third and longs where quarterback Sean Canfield has to pass, USC should be able to get sacks and turnovers. Last year, the Beavers won in part because they had no turnovers.
That should not be the case this year. Unless USC still has its head in the win in South Bend. In that case, all bets are off, for those that forget history… you know the rest.
