After turning the page after a 38-36 win over Stanford, Oregon coach Mark Helfrich looked towards his next opponent. It took only moments for him to realize the challenge USC would pose this weekend.
“The trick, after such an emotional game against a great opponent, is to get ready against a very, very talented team,” Helfrich said on Sunday, “and you flip on the tape and you’re quickly slapped at how good USC is and our guys will be excited for that challenge.”
Before the season, the Nov. 21 matchup between Oregon and USC was built up as a potential College Football Playoff decider. Both teams were ranked in the AP preseason poll’s top 10. Oregon was ranked No. 7, while the Trojans stood one spot behind at No. 8.
Both teams have seen peaks and valleys on their way towards Saturday’s game. Both teams have a record of 7-3, each riding a four-game winning-streak into Autzen Stadium.
For Oregon, losing quarterback Vernon Adams Jr. to a broken finger earlier in the year resulted in a 3-3 start for the Ducks. Oregon is 4-0 since Adams returned from his injury.
For USC, it was bouncing back from a change at head coach midway through the season. Since former head coach Steve Sarkisian was fired on Oct. 12, and replaced by interim coach Clay Helton, USC is 4-1.
“I think both teams have had some obstacles to overcome this year … both teams are hot right now,” Oregon offensive coordinator Scott Frost said. “Both teams are probably looking back at some games earlier in the year and wishing they could have them back.”
The Trojans were dealt another blow this past week, losing starting linebackers Cameron Smith and Lamar Dawson to injury for the rest of the season. Still, Helfrich doesn’t think losing those two defensive starters will affect the Trojans.
“Those guys are both phenomenal players that played extremely well, but unfortunately [for us] they have very talented guys behind them,” Helfrich said.
Though both teams have taken two different roads of adversity to get to this point, Saturday’s game will still have implications on the line — just not those of the National Championship, like the preseason may have suggested. If Oregon wins out, and Cal beats Stanford this weekend, the Ducks will represent the north in the Pac-12 Championship game. USC, on the other hand, needs to beat Oregon and UCLA the following week to represent the south in the conference title.
“I know it’s two talented teams that will be playing on the field Saturday,” Frost said.
Follow Joseph Hoyt on Twitter @JoeJHoyt.