With reference to the headline, hey, I didn’t say it. That acclaim goes to John Canzano of The Oregonian in what now looks like a gigantic whiff.  We all had our doubts after Boise State, but missing out on bowl eligibility? Quite a reach. Now, 6-1 Oregon goes looking for win number 7. Here’s my Sunday thoughts as we move on.

1. Why is it that every time a national analyst or reporter talks about Oregon, they always preface it with, “Oregon has really turned it around since Boise State.”? At what point do we get to move on from that game? Is it permanently attached to the Ducks reputation or can it possibly be wiped clean by a win over USC? Either way, it’s a virtual guarantee to pop up about 2,837 times this week as the four letter hype machine that is ESPN descends on Eugene (GameDay all but certain to visit).
2. Speaking of everyone’s favorite sports network, if Kirk Herbstreit picks Oregon, I encourage everyone to loudly boo him. I’m pretty sure he has us at 1-3 in conference play so far with his predictions. Thanks Kirk and be sure to bring your tanning lotion. I hear it’s going to be rainy and overcast.
3. I can’t believe how easy the win was against Washington. The Huskies had played everyone competitive including USC and LSU. And who would have expected negative rushing yards from Jake Locker? They didn’t even try anything with him. The only conclusion I can reach is that this team is seriously good.
4. Number of seniors on Oregon’s two-deep against UW: 5. That’s five seniors out of 44 players. A total of three started. Wow.
5. Look for Oregon to request a waiver this week to play 2010 defensive back recruits against USC. There’s hardly anyone left now that Talmadge Jackson is, uh, day to day. Then again, true freshman Cliff Harris looks like he can do it all himself. Alongside fellow freshman John Boyett and sophomores Javes Lewis and Anthony Gildon, boy, the Duck’s future in the defensive backfield is good.
6. Oregon has the best two yard line defense in the nation. I’m sure of it.
7. I’m writing this before the rankings are released, but the Ducks feel undervalued to me. One team that is especially bugging me is Iowa. Good for them for winning every game, but I’m having a hard time accepting the Hawkeyes as a top ten team.
8. A quick, crack analysis of USC… Lot of opportunities passing the football over the middle. Watching the OSU game, the tight end was often open for big gains, but I would expect USC to scheme more for Ed Dickson. The Beavers also had a lot of successful runs straight up the gut. On plays to the outside, USC’s speed advantage was obvious. Matt Barkley is not yet as great as everyone keeps saying. As a true freshman, he stands out, but if you weren’t analyzing him with that disclaimer, he wouldn’t be as celebrated. I know he won at Ohio State and Notre Dame, but, with no offense to tradition, big deal. Autzen Stadium will be a whole different beast. The Trojans are athletic and their talent is relentless. You have to play hard from start to finish to beat them and mistakes must be kept to a minimum. More as the week goes on.

Thanks to friend of the blog Andy for the reminder about Canzano’s “Six Wins” quote. The Ducks got there in record time.

While some people I know will be witnessing a wedding Saturday, I for one, will be in Pasadena, land of the best tailgating in the Pac-10 (note: haven’t been to UW, UA or Stanford).

You just can’t beat hanging out on the grassy country club fairways that serve as the parking lot for the hallowed Rose Bowl.

In doing so, I’ll be making my first appearance at the stadium in support of the Ducks (believe it or not, the first two were for Oregon State).

I promised the UCLA folk I’ll be hanging out with that I will wear a vintage green body suit, complete with steel-colored leg warmers, chrome mittens and a yellowish top hat. And if you don’t end up spotting me in such garb, well, blame Wal-Mart for a lack of inventory.

Time to get a pick right FOTB.

While a bit tepid in picking Oregon due to injuries, it’s hard to go against the dominance they have displayed in the past two weeks. I mean, 94-9. Really? You’d have to be crazy to pick against a team putting up those kind of numbers.

UCLA will welcome back starting quarterback Kevin Prince and while that seems to be cause for celebration in Westwood, it’s hard to believe that’s going to cure the Bruins offensive woes. Only Washington State has sported a more feeble offense this season. Lucky for Oregon because they’ll be breaking in sophomore Anthony Gildon, yet another starting cornerback at the injury-plagued position.

Of course, there is the matter of quarterback for the Ducks. Nate Costa will get his first collegiate start against the conference’s second best scoring defense in a league that is surprisingly stout on the “championship” side of the ball this year.

Costa throws a sharp ball, though, and you have to imagine a guy with his resiliency won’t be overwhelmed by the moment.

This isn’t 2007 when Oregon was shutout trying everything short of Adam Sandler at quarterback (get it, water boy? Oh, give me a break, you try being funny). Costa is a legitimate option that, if not for a third knee injury in 2008, would possibly be an experienced veteran starter by now.

While Oregon probably won’t have the offensive success it has had in previous weeks, they should do enough to win with the “yet-to-be-aptly-named” defense leading the way behind a third straight shut down performance.