Oregon Offensive Keys to the Game vs. USC Trojans

Oregon has one of the best offenses in the country and USC's defense has been struggling all year.

Oregon's offense is operating at an elite clip and has scored more than 30 points in every game this season. 

This weekend they get a USC defense that's at the bottom of the Pac-12.

Here are my offensive keys to the game for the Ducks against the Trojans.

1. Feed Bucky Irving

Darby Winter/Ducks Digest

USC has been awful against the run this year, with opponents averaging 186.5 yards per game. Oregon has excelled at running the ball all year, averaging 209 yards on the ground per game. There's no reason to overcomplicate things, run early and run often.

This could easily be a game where the Ducks rack up north of 200 yards on the ground. Will Stein should call plenty of run plays for Bucky Irving and Jordan James to get the offense rolling and take advantage of what the Ducks do best.

2. Play clean, disciplined football

Darby Winter/Ducks Digest

While this is more of an overall key to the game, I'm going to put it on offense because the offensive line has had a couple of rough patches with false starts and illegal man downfield penalties.

Oregon shouldn't do USC any favors, and that starts with playing a clean game with minimal penalties. The best teams don't shoot themselves in the foot and that's something that has continued to pop up at times throughout the year for the Ducks.

This will be especially important in the red zone and when USC has the ball.

3. Exploit One-on-One Matchups

Darby Winter/Ducks Digest

I don't think USC has the personnel to contain or keep up with Oregon's skill talent. Whether that's Troy Franklin, Tez Johnson or Terrance Ferguson, there are plenty of weapons at Bo Nix's disposal on this offense. There's not many that can keep up with Franklin in the Pac-12.

It should only take a few drives to see where the Ducks have the clear advantage. So after that, expect Stein to continue feeding the studs.

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