We're taking a week-by-week look at the best trips to make in the Pac-12. My editors call it the Ultimate Road Trip. I call it dangling meat for you guys until we can start writing about actual games. Chow down, gang.
Welcome to Week 10.
Thursday, Nov. 3
UCLA at Colorado
Saturday, Nov. 5
Arizona at Washington State
Oregon at USC
Oregon State at Stanford
Washington at California
On bye
Arizona State
Utah
My choice: Oregon at USC
Why: Is it possible, maybe, that in less than a month (remember, we're in Week 10 in imagination land) we’ll see these teams playing each other again in Santa Clara, Calif., in the Pac-12 championship game?
The Ducks were picked by the media to finish second in the North behind Stanford. The Trojans were picked second in the South behind UCLA. But come on, you know how fickle we sports writers can be. This very easily could be a preview of the title game. And no one would be surprised if the standings end up playing out that way.
You want star power? You’re going to get it. Both teams head into the season with a new quarterback. But by Week 10 -- barring injuries -- I think we can safely assume they will be settled in. And that means they’ll be getting the ball to some of the most exciting skill players in the conference. Oregon boasts running back Royce Freeman and a stable of wide receivers that stacks up among the best in the league. The offensive line should also, quietly, be a strength.
For the Trojans, it all starts up front, where USC boasts a phenomenal offensive line. That will pave the way for a pair of potential 1,000-yard rushers and protect the quarterback-still-to-be-named as he throws to one of the best receivers in the country, JuJu Smith-Schuster.
The last two times these teams have played, the Ducks dropped 62 (in 2012) and 48 (last season). To be fair, USC scored 51 in 2012 and 28 points last season. While last week’s URT took us to a defensive struggle, chances are that won’t be the case with this matchup. Expect offense, and lots of it.