Oregon will try to dominate Colorado — USC can learn something from that
The USC Trojans will certainly expect to not only defeat Colorado one week from now, but to dominate the Buffaloes. Given that Colorado will be missing Travis Hunter, that goal is a lot more realistic than it might have been before Hunter’s injury.
USC’s attempt to win authoritatively and without drama in Boulder on September 30 will be helped by studying this upcoming Colorado-Oregon game in Eugene.
When we consider what Oregon will try to do to stymie and smother Colorado, that might offer a template or framework for how USC will try to attack Deion Sanders’ team.
We asked our Pac-12 expert panel: What is Oregon’s biggest key to victory against Colorado?
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Donald Smalley, Ducks Wire: Establish the run game early to set up the play-action. Get pressure on Shedeur Sanders and force him into a few bad throws for INTs.
Zachary Neel, Ducks Wire: Establish a pass rush. CU’s offensive line ranks 128 out of 133 FBS teams when it comes to sacks allowed, so it’s safe to say that Oregon should be able to get after the QB. If they can keep Sanders uncomfortable and keep him from picking apart the secondary from the comfort of a clean pocket, then the rest should take care of itself.
Matt Wadleigh, Trojans and Buffaloes Wire: Get off to a fast start. As we’ve seen before, if Colorado gets out in control, they benefit greatly. But, if Oregon goes into the half with a commanding lead, it might be too much for Deion Sanders and his team to overcome, especially on the road.
Matt Zemek, Trojans Wire: Play a clean offensive game. If Oregon makes no big offensive mistakes, it can’t lose. Colorado will not be able to keep up in a track meet without Travis Hunter.
Catch all of Ducks Wire’s Pac-12 team previews for the 2023 season:
Arizona — Arizona State — California — Colorado — Oregon State — Stanford — UCLA — USC — Utah — Washington — Washington State
