1. Chip’s message gets through so well, even I stay composed. In the past, Oregon’s start to the 2nd half would have ended with me in a court-appointed anger management class. Instead, I just smiled, kicked back and waited for the inevitable. The point I’m trying to make isn’t about me, but that there’s literally nothing to worry about with this team. Give ‘em four quarters and eventually, it’s game over.

2. Missing: large male of African American descent. Approximately 18-22 years old. Last seen wandering streets near USC campus in a deranged state. Appeared exhausted. Was overheard muttering “Only two players, only two players, only two players, only two players, only two players.” Call 1 (800) WEARESC if you see him. Do not approach. He does not respect you.

3. Question: If LaMichael James goes for 236 yards against a top 40 rush defense, what does that mean going forward against a sub-100 unit? Answer: They’re probably going to have to put it down. Sad, but this day comes for every Dawg eventually.

Oh, and Heisman voters, please save room on your ballot that’s NOT DUE UNTIL AFTER ALL GAMES ARE PLAYED. Here me Bo Jackson?

4. Oregon won’t face a more spirited effort the rest of the season. USC sold out to win this game. Players called it their Super Bowl and desperately wanted to defend what was left of the Trojans alpha dog status. If there was a game Oregon could lose on the sheer desire and motivation of its opponent, this was it.

That’s not to denigrate the effort of any future opponent but just to say beating Oregon meant A TON to USC.

5. Does the trash-talking team ever win? I would like to present no evidence whatsoever but make the claim the more you talk before a game, the less likely you are to win. It’s not because it provides extra motivation, but because the better team tends to keep its mouth shut. Oregon has been on the other side of this so I’m not coming down on USC here.

6. Save some space for Talmadge Jackson III praise. Jackson seemed to have a great game. It’s easy to miss some things watching on TV, but my general impression was positive. Like you, I’ve made a joke or two about Jackson’s coverage before and I think it’s only fair to point out when he does well. Chip Kelly seems to confirm this having said it was Jackson’s best game of the year.

7. Teams are going to have to stop keying on James. Darron Thomas is lighting up defenses. In a conference with Andrew Luck, Matt Barkley, Jake Locker and Nick Foles, Thomas currently is the second highest-rated QB. So what’s the result when teams devote more resources to stopping the pass? No idea. What could possibly happen? Are there actually more points and yards available in the course of a game?

And then the last four games happened.

Opponents scored 51, 21, 41 and 33 points against a unit that had previously not given up more than 24 points in any one game. And that 24 included a defensive touchdown and a 19 yard drive following a turnover.

Through its first eight games, the Ducks came up with 20 turnovers. In the last four, Oregon forced its opponents to give it back just four times.

Competition has something to do with that. Outside of Boise State who plays against terrible competition, three of Oregon’s final four opponents also happened to be the top three offenses it faced all year. These were elite offenses that all averaged at least 29.7 points and over 400 yards per game.

With the exception of Toby Gerhart, it wasn’t the run defense that let down. In fact, Oregon held opponent’s rushing attacks significantly below their season averages (again, Gerhart excepted). The pass defense, however, slipped against the likes of Nick Foles, Sean Canfield and Andrew Luck. Foles and Canfield led the Pac-10 in passing this season.

Why is this significant? Ohio State is a decidedly run-oriented offense and averages almost 40 yards more per game on the ground than through the air. Terrell Pryor has been handcuffed and is nowhere near the threat throwing the ball compared to guys like Canfield and Foles.

The chart above would seem to indicate Oregon struggled only against the conference’s top three offenses which happen to be well-balanced units. The end of season slide seems to be more about quality of opposition than anything else. Is it an elite defense? No. But the Ducks have a lot of team speed and aren’t going up against an offensive juggernaut. One could easily see them control the Buckeyes much the way they did most of the schedule.

Throughout Nick Allioti’s history, his defenses have been especially good when they are able to focus on the run and force the opposition to pass. Can Ohio State win the game passing the ball? Probably not. Will they be able to move the ball through the air enough to keep Oregon on its heels? That carries a higher likelihood and could be a key to the game.

If Oregon can control what has become a formidable Ohio State rushing attack, and the Buckeyes can’t establish a passing game, Oregon’s “weaker” side of the ball may end up being the difference.