Southern California @ Oregon preview

Last Meeting ( Oct 30, 2010 ) Oregon 53, Southern California 32

THE STORY: After crushing Stanford’s national title hopes with a convincing 53-30 victory, No. 4 Oregon looks to clinch the Pac-12 North Division against visiting Southern Cal. The Ducks have won 21 straight at home, but they’ll be tested by the Trojans’ run defense, which ranks second in the Pac-12. With Heisman Trophy candidate LaMichael James leading the way, Oregon is fifth in the nation in rushing at 291.8 yards per game.

TV: ABC, ESPN3.com. LINE: Oregon -14.5.

ABOUT SOUTHERN CAL (8-2, 5-2 Pac-12 South): The Trojans could be without top wide receiver Robert Woods, who missed practice Wednesday with ankle and shoulder injuries. Woods has 92 catches for 1,126 yards and 11 touchdowns. Quarterback Matt Barkley leads the Pac-12 with 29 touchdown passes and has six interceptions. His 278 yards passing per game ranks third in Pac-12. Southern Cal’s offense has scored at least 30 points in its past six games. Safety T.J. McDonald suffered a concussion last week against Washington, but is expected to play against Oregon.

ABOUT OREGON (9-1, 7-0 Pac-12 North): The Ducks have won nine consecutive games since losing to No. 1 Louisiana State 40-27 in the season opener. James ranks first nationally in rushing average (150.88), third in all-purpose yards per game (190.25) and is ninth in scoring (10.5). He has 422 rushing yards and four TDs in two career games against the Trojans. Quarterback Darron Thomas, who is 15-0 as a starter in conference play, has a touchdown pass in 22 straight games. The Ducks rank third in the nation in scoring at 46.7 points per game.

EXTRA POINTS:

1. Southern Cal leads the all-time series 37-18-2, but the sides have split the last 18 decisions dating to 1987.

2. Oregon leads the FBS with 78 offensive touchdown drives of two minutes or less since 2010.

3. Southern Cal has only one player from Oregon (safety Troy Cardona), but the Ducks’ roster includes 48 players from California.

PREDICTION: Oregon 44, Southern Cal 31 - The forecast calls for rain and high winds, but Oregon’s offense should still put up big numbers against a strong Trojans’ defense.