4 Reasons Why Oregon Is Guaranteed To Beat USC This Year

Oregon/USC is one of the marquee rivalries in college football right now, pitting two programs at the height of their on-field and recruiting powers jockeying for Pac-12 supremacy. This year's edition in Eugene is shaping up to be a College Football Playoff statement game, and we've got a VERY good feeling about who's going to come out on top of this one. Here's 4 Reasons Why Oregon Is Guaranteed To Beat USC This Year.

1) Royce Freeman

Freeman had a freshman season that suceeded everyone's wildest expectations, becoming the first true freshman in Oregon history to rush for over 1,000 yards. More specifically, the 5-11, 230-pounder ran for 1,365 yards and 18 touchdowns on just 252 carries. A physical runner with incredible strength and above-average speed, Freeman is a legitimate Heisman contender in 2015.

2) Charles Nelson - a two-way star in the making

When Charles Nelson wasn't catching touchdown passes for the offense during the spring game, he was shadowing other wideouts and snagging an interception on defense. Nelson has so much talent that he can't be contained to one side of the ball, and there's plenty here to suggest that he'll be the next great two-way star in college football.

3) The defense is getting it

Don Pellum's second year as Ducks defensive coordinator is off to a good start, as the defense looked both aggressive and prepared in implementing his schemes during the spring game. With a wealth of talent at his disposal and kids who are just dying to learn, this defense could be the difference between a good year and a memorable run to a national title.

4) Vernon Adams

Adams is the perfect fit for the Oregon system -- athletic, able to stretch the edge and more composed in the pocket than you'd think. USC's defense is fast, but without Leonard Williams their front four isn't going to have the same push as it once did. Adams will shred them with pure athleticism alone, lifting Oregon to a crucial victory at Autzen.

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