After coming off an emotional win over Notre Dame and staring at a potential top 10 match-up against Oregon next week, the Trojans ability to focus on the task at hand will be severely tested in this quintessential trap game. On Saturday night at the Coliseum, The Trojans face a well-coached Oregon State team that is 4-2 including a close loss to now #5 Cincinnati.

Despite being heavily favored the Trojans are facing the best skill position players they have seen all year and will have to play a disciplined game to get the victory.

5 Keys to avoiding the Beaver Trap :

1- Avoid 15 yard penalties and turnovers: The #1 key every week. If the Trojans avoided the big 15 yard penalties against the Irish (especially Griffen’s penalty in the 3rd quarter) and didn’t throw an interception in the 4th quarter, the score would have been more like 34-10 instead of 34-27

2- Stay at home on defense and force Oregon State into obvious pass situations: Last year All Pac-10 Running Back Jacquizz Rogers burst onto the scene against the Trojans. His cut-back style and low center of gravity (he’s only 5’7) was a nightmare for a Trojan defense that consistently overpursued him. He ended up rushing for 187 yards and 2 touchdowns.

Rogers is a very patient running back that uses his lack of height as an advantage when waiting for holes to develop. Linebackers and Defensive Lineman can lose track of him when he is behind the line of scrimmage.

The Trojan linebackers and Secondary need to communicate and make sure they stay in the proper gaps to contain Jacquizz and his brother James who is a Wide Receiver. The Roger’s brother’s account for 60% of Oregon State’s offense and stopping them and OSU’s run offense will require a total team effort.

If the Trojans are able to force Oregon State into obvious pass situations, they can take advantage of a young offensive line that has already given up 19 sacks this year. The OSU quarterback has a tendency to force throws when he is under pressure and that should create turnover opportunities.

(3 more keys to victory after the jump)

3- Strong Special Teams performance: USC needs to bounce back from a shaky special team’s performance against Notre Dame. Oregon State has a very strong kick return team and containing big gains when kicking-off is a must.

Don’t be surprised if you see the Trojans take advantage of Oregon State being too aggressive in going after a block punt.

4- Continue to utilize the Tight Ends and Fullback in the passing game: Oregon State is 9th in the conference in pass defense which should allow Matt Barkley to get into a nice rhythm early. He needs to take what the defense gives him as underneath and mid-level routes will be open.

Oregon State’s defense tends to be exposed the most in the middle of the field where Anthony McCoy is a big target. Offensively, the Trojans need to continue with the theme of creating mismatches where players like McCoy and D.J. Shoemate can turn small passes into big gains. Not having Stanley Havili (dislocated shoulder) will hurt the offense but D.J. Shoemate is a more than capable back-up that is speedy and has tremendous hands.

5- Take advantage of Oregon State’s aggressive defensive play: The Oregon State defense plays very aggressive and is vulnerable to delayed runs up the middle and play action fakes. Oregon State is all about collapsing the pocket. Look for the Trojans to take advantage of this after successfully throwing the ball down the field.

If the Trojans score early and make Oregon State a passing team, USC is capable of a break-out performance on Saturday much like the game against Cal and 3 quarters of the Notre Dame game. The Trojans need to capture momentum early and get Matt Barkley into a groove against one of the worst passing defenses in the Pac-10.

If the Trojans struggle early offensively and give up a big play on Special Teams, it will become a very difficult game to win.

Coming off a shaky 4th quarter performance against Notre Dame and finally getting to play at home for the first time in almost a month, I expect the Trojans to put together a solid performance and win a hard fought game by pulling away in the 4th quarter by a couple of touchdowns.