Three keys to beating Oregon State

Southern California hosts the Oregon State Beavers this Saturday.  Let's take a look at what USC has to do to come out on top.

1.  Break out of the 'post-big-game' lull

It's official, the rivalry between Notre Dame and Southern California has been recharged, at least if this past Saturday is any indication. While the Trojans notched their eighth consecutive victory over the Irish, Notre Dame definitely was showing more signs of life than it had in some of the previous match-ups between the two teams. Now that USC has finished their South Bend road trip, the Trojans return home to face an Oregon State Beavers team that has been flashing big-play potential all season long.

Head coach Pete Carroll already has the wheels in motion for getting his team prepared after the big win over Notre Dame.

“It's a different follow up week in terms of travel and all that kind of stuff. So that changes it some. We're going to try to put together a great prep. You know, obviously the Pac 10, whoever it is, gets our attention. We've got to put together a terrific football game here,” explained Carroll at his weekly presser. “So we're going to do the stuff we know how to do. There are a couple of things we have adjusted based on [on] what we've grown in the last couple of weeks and hopefully we'll fix some things up and play really sharp.”

The Trojans will need to avoid a let down similar to the one that occurred after defeating Ohio State where the Trojans lost momentum and ultimately succumbed to the Washington Huskies a week later. While the game against Oregon State will be played in the confines of the Coliseum, the Trojans need to make sure they are fired up for this game following an emotional and energy-charged weekend in South Bend.

The post-big-game let down one knock against Southern California for the past few seasons as they are continually able to win the big games only to have a somewhat lackluster outing the following week against a Pac-10 opponent. Oregon State is a very good team, with enough firepower on the offensive side of the ball to match the Trojans, and just enough talent on defense to make this game interesting. The Trojans need to come out of the gates firing on all cylinders and put this game away before it gets away.

“We know we have a lot of home games in the second half of the season. It would be great to get off on the good foot here at the Coliseum against Oregon State,” said Carroll.

That is right Coach, as James Brown would jam, “Get on the good foot, let it all hang out.”

2.  Make sure 'Quizz' fails the big test

It seems as though the Pac-10 is loaded from top to bottom with premium tailbacks this year. There seems to be a star tailback on almost every single team. The Oregon State Beavers are no exception and will bring to the table the Pac-10 leader in touchdowns, Jacquizz Rodgers.

Pete Carroll, for one, knows all about the talent that is Jacquizz Rogers.

“We've got to be very disciplined at the line of scrimmage to take care of Jacquizz Rodgers running it,” said Carroll of Rodgers. “He's the style of runner that really demands of it your defense. You give him a crack, he can take it. If you make a mistake he's going to take advantage of it.”

That is definitely true and, if you need any validation of Carroll's remarks, just ask the Stanford Cardinal. Against Stanford, Jacquizz torched the Cardinal for a combined 271 yards rushing and receiving, to go along with four, yes four, touchdowns on the day. For the season, Rodgers has averaged over 116 ypg and has been getting into the end zone at an incredible rate, averaging more than two scores a game.

Making things worse for opposing defensive coordinators is Jacquizz's brother, James Rodgers. James Rodgers, a starting wideout for the Beavers, is another big weapon for Oregon State, who provides a dynamic down-the-field target for starting quarterback, Sean Canfield.

“The Rodgers brothers are ridiculous,” said Carroll. “They're both terrific football players. They can get you a number of different ways.”

Indeed, corralling the two Rodgers brothers will take a lot of work. Fortunately for the Trojans, speed on defense is one of USC’s strong points this season. The onus will be on All-American safety Taylor Mays, as well as speedy linebackers Michael Morgan and Malcolm Smith, to try and contain the Rodgers brothers and prevent them from breaking off big plays. The Trojans defense may not be able to stop them every time, but limiting their big-play potential will go along way for the Trojans on Saturday.

3.  Curb your enthusiasm

We all know the saying, boys will be boys. However, it is time for some of the boys to do a bit of growing up. Imagine for a second that Jimmy Clausen had been able to complete a pass to save his life down the stretch, and that Notre Dame had somehow, someway, come back to end its seven-year drought against the Trojans. Scary thought right?

Well, Notre Dame would have never been in a position to make the end of the game that interesting had it not been for some very costly penalties by certain individuals of Southern California's defense. I am not advocating that the Trojans lose the fire and passion that has made USC's defense a force to be reckoned with this season and I understand that occasionally mistakes will be made. But on a championship caliber team such as the Trojans, emotions need to be checked at the door and careless mistakes and personal fouls curbed.

Play with passion, play with smarts, and ultimately, let your play speak for itself.

Pac-10 Examiners are now on Facebook