To be the best, you must beat the best

This is easier said then done.

If you watched last weeks OSU beat down of USC, you would think otherwise. OSU ran a great game plan that took advantage of their strengths and exploited the USC "weaknesses." Oh and by weaknesses, I mean catching a team off guard. USC is a dominate team. They have so many weapons on offense there aren't enough touches in the season to fully utilize them all. They are so good on defense that over half of the starting defense will be drafted in the first three rounds of the NFL draft. They are that good. But again, OSU outplayed them.

The Beavers just pissed off the giant....And they want to take it out on the Ducks.

Great.

That being said, the Ducks played a great game last Saturday. They ran all over Wazzu. But again, it's Wazzu. I don't think the Cougs will win another game this year and beating Portland State is nothing to brag about.

But the Ducks have a ton of talent. They are fast on D, strong at the line and have great running backs who can help control the game. The Ducks do have a chance to win and make it the first time in 7 years the Trojans lost back-to-back games. But they have to play a great game. Limit turnovers, keep USC from gaining any momentum, play fast, play hard and attack. You can't play scared. If these Trojans smell blood, they are like sharks.

Watch that Beavers game tape. Watch how every Beaver player attacked, attacked, attacked. Ran hard, hit hard and played to their strengths. I'm a Ducks optimist and believe it can be done. USC won't be caught off guard. But Oregon won't be walked all over.

I refuse to predict this score (again, even though if you want, scroll down to some past posts and see what I said).

This is one Pac-10 game. Its not going to make or break the season. But this the game that is circled every year. And until USC is knocked off, it will continue to be.

GO DUCKS.

- Berns