USC plunges into a gurgling cauldron at Oregon

EUGENE, Ore. -- Hollywood couldn't have scripted it better: Halloween night, the din of Autzen Stadium, crisp fall temperatures and No. 10 Oregon versus No. 4 USC in arguably the Pac-10's biggest game of the season.

"It's going to be crazy," Ducks quarterback Jeremiah Masoli said. "It's going to be one of those Autzen nights times 100."

Oregon (4-0 Pac-10, 6-1) sits alone atop the conference standings with no league losses, threatening the hold the Trojans (3-1, 6-1) have had on the Pac-10 title for the past seven years.

The Ducks have won six straight games since an embarrassing 19-8 loss at Boise State in the opener, a game that got uglier when running back LeGarrette Blount punched a Broncos defensive end as he was leaving the field.

Blount was suspended for the season and Oregon has moved on without him. Perhaps its biggest win thus far was a 42-3 victory over then-No. 6 California back on Sept. 26 -- at, where else? Autzen.

Afterward, Cal offensive lineman Mike Tepper said the noise made a difference. At Oregon, fans infamously add to the decibels with incessant duck calls. Then there's the fact that the stands butt up close to the playing field.

Two years ago, USC visited Autzen and left with a 24-17 loss. Quarterback Mark Sanchez, making his third start, was rattled and threw a pair of critical interceptions.

Current USC quarterback Matt Barkley brushed the acoustics aside this week, exclaiming: "I feed off that energy, I feed off that noise. I love it."

Indeed, Southern California's freshman starter has held his own on the road against opponents such as Notre Dame and Ohio State, known for enthusiastic fans. He leads the Pac-10 in pass efficiency and passing yards per game, with an average of 256.7. He's thrown for seven touchdowns.

Barkley and the Trojans will have to deal with much more than noise. They'll be facing a Ducks team that has steadily improved on both sides of the ball since that season-opening loss on Boise State's blue turf.

Oregon is ranked atop the Pac-10 in pass defense and has allowed only five touchdown passes. The unit has allowed just three touchdowns to its Pac-10 opponents this season -- all after the Ducks have built comfortable leads. Oregon has created twice as many sacks (22-11) as its opponents, along with 11 interceptions.

In contrast, USC's defense has struggled of late. The Trojans allowed Oregon State 329 passing yards last week in the Trojan's 43-36 victory. Notre Dame had 285 yards the week before.

But USC still held those opponents at bay. The Trojans' only loss was the 16-13 upset by conference foe Washington on Sept. 19.

"We know how to finish when it matters," said Trojans linebacker Chris Galippo."

Oregon believes itself capable of besting the Trojans this year. Ducks fans do, too. They are snapping up "Fright Night" T-shirts, featuring a duck and crossbones. A Web site is advertising two tickets on the 50-yard line for $1,000.