All eyes on Troy as USC prepares for showdown against the Ducks


By
 in ,

The Trojans might not be playing in any bowl games this year (or next), but with all the hype surrounding Saturday’s game against Oregon, you wouldn’t know the difference.

The No. 1 Ducks are coming to town, and many people have taken note.

After a grassroots social media-driven movement began last week urging fans to “Red Out” the Coliseum, ESPN’s College Gameday announced that it would feature the game this week.

All eyes are on the Trojans, who have had two weeks to prepare for an Oregon team that has more than a legitimate shot at its first BCS title. Oregon, ranked No. 1. in the AP poll and No. 2 in the BCS poll, leads the nation in offensive yards per game (569.1) and points per game (55.1). Oregon also leads the nation in turnover margin.

For the Trojans, who returned to the AP rankings this week at No. 24, Saturday’s game is the most hyped of the season — and it’s easy to see why. With alumni in town for Homecoming Weekend, growing support from fans online and national media attention, this game might be played in October instead of January, but the stakes couldn’t be higher for USC.

There’s also some added incentive: Not only did USC lose its Homecoming game against Stanford last season, the Ducks also beat the Trojans last year, 47-20.