By Art Thompson III
November 2, 2009

SPANKING OF TROY
That thud you might have heard, originating from the Northwest and reverberating through the Pac-10 was No. 4 USC falling like a stack of timber to No. 10 Oregon.

The impact quickly was felt. USC dropped from No. 4 to No. 12 in the Associated Press Top 25 but more importantly, the Trojans plummeted from No. 5 to No. 12 in the Bowl Championship Series standings.

USC’s hopes of playing in the BCS title game in January are gone and likely gone too is USC’s chance of playing in a BCS game for the eighth consecutive year. Oregon took care of that with as thorough a lashing as USC has endured in the Pete Carroll-coached era.

The final score was 47-20 at Autzen Stadium, in front of a jam-packed crowd, many of whom were dressed as ghosts, goblins and grim reapers in an attempt to spook visiting USC.

But the Trojans had plenty of nightmares on the field, without casting any eyes on the stands. Oregon’s offense ran roughshod on USC’s once-proud defense and the loss likely will prove as detrimental as any that a Pete Carroll-coached team has suffered in recent times.

Certainly, conference losses cost USC an opportunity to play for the national championship the past three years. In 2006, highly-favored USC lost its final game to cross-town rival UCLA. The next year, USC was an overwhelming favorite at home against lightly-regarded Stanford. However, the Cardinal pulled the upset on a touchdown catch by Mark Bradford, who grew up a stone’s throw from the Coliseum.

USC seems to be able to beat teams from outside the conference in high-profile, intersectional battles. But the Trojans seemingly cannot escape the Pac-10 land mines.

But USC’s pain is Oregon’s gain. The Ducks inched up in the BCS standings from No. 10 to No. 8. Oregon (7-1, 5-0) is No. 7 in the AP poll and has not lost since its opening week defeat at undefeated and No. 5 Boise State. Now, it is the Ducks, not the Trojans, who are hoping for a knock-out, drag out in the SEC, between Florida and Alabama. Oregon also hopes that some team knocks the rabbit’s foot out of undefeated Iowa’s pocket.

Oregon can argue strength of schedule superiority over a pair of remaining undefeated teams – Cincinnati and Texas Christian, who are No. 5 and No. 6, respectively in the BCS standings. But the Ducks’ bill would have to be shut if No. 7 Boise State remained unscathed.

THEY BEAR A LOOK
Cal was ranked No. 6 in the AP poll earlier this season when it traveled to Oregon. The Bears were routed that afternoon 30-3 and the following week Cal was squashed 36-3 at home by USC. But the Bears (6-2, 3-2) have won three consecutive games, including last weekend’s thrilling 23-21 comeback win at Arizona State. With four games remaining, No. 23 Cal has an excellent opportunity to finish with a 10-win season and earn a nice bowl bid. But it won’t be easy. The Bears host dangerous Oregon State this weekend, entertain No. 21 Arizona the following weekend, visit arch rival Stanford in the annual Big Game after that and close out the season at Washington on the same turf that USC last on earlier this year.

BIG COLLISION ON THE HORIZON
That certainly would be the case, if both No. 7 Oregon (7-1, 5-1) and No. 21 Arizona (5-2, 3-1) continue on their respective winning paths. The two schools meet two weeks from Saturday and the Pac-10 title could be on the line. But before that potential showdown, Oregon has to get past Stanford and Arizona State, two games that are far from strolls in the park. Arizona should not have too many problems Saturday with visiting Washington State (1-7, 0-5) but the Wildcats must visit  No. 23 Cal next week. Arizona had a bye this past weekend, which should have been beneficial for star running back Nic Grigsby, who has been playing most of the season with a dinged shoulder.

HOPING TO STAY ON RHYTHM
If the pattern holds true to form, then Arizona State will win its game this weekend in Tempe. How so? Well, Arizona State began the season with two wins, then lost its next two games, won its subsequent next two games and since then has dropped its past two games. So, doesn’t it stand to reason that the Sun Devils should win its next two games? Good luck, Arizona State. The Sun Devils are at home Saturday against No. 12 USC before traveling next weekend to No. 7 Oregon. Arizona State finishes up the season by visiting UCLA and then returning home to play its instate rival No. 21 Arizona. 

Art Thompson III is an award-winning sports writer who has covered the NBA, the NFL and Major League Baseball, in addition to college sports. He was The Orange County Register's lead college writer and its UCLA beat writer for seven years.