(Photo by Icon Sports Media)

Nothing has been easy this season for the Trojans. It seems like every week they face another tough test on the road. This week it is the Oregon Ducks (6-1, 4-0) and their terrible uniforms. Saturday’s contest will be the fourth road game against a ranked opponent. Also increasing the degree of difficulty is the Trojans must play in Autzen stadium. Even though it only seats 54,000, it is one of the loudest stadiums in the country. And it’s Halloween, so fans will be extra lubricated and extra spooky.

To make matters worse, the past few years, the Pacific Northwest has not been friendly place to visit for the Trojans. USC has lost three straight years in the state of Oregon and we all can’t forget what happened to the Trojans when they traveled to Washington earlier this season. The weather conditions in Eugen should be dark, cold and gloomy. At kickoff the weather report is predicting 57 degrees with a 60% chance of precipitation.

So to recap, a ranked opponent playing their best football of the year, in a hostile environment, with a possibility for rain, in a high-stakes game, with tens of thousands of students dressed in costumes and extra inebriated, in a part of the of the country that the Trojans have not played well in recent years…. Does it scare you?

It shouldn’t. It should fire you up. Saturday night is the perfect opportunity to for the Trojans to come together and show the haters and doubters in the country that even though we have a freshman QB, a defense that has struggled the past two games against potent offenses and are banged up with injuries, when it comes time to strapping on the pads the Trojans always come to play in big games. How does Coach Carroll fare against ranked opponents? Pete has played 38 ranked opponents since 2001. USC is 34-4 in those games. Let’s make it 35-4.

More Thoughts of the Day and Halloween costume ideas after the jump (if you dare)…

The Ducks like to run. They rush on 65 percent of their plays and average 210 yards per game on the ground. Redshirt freshman LaMichael James is their running back. James has four 100 yard games since replacing LeGarrette Blount. The Trojans’ defense is only allowing 79.8 rushing yards per game.

The Ducks only average 157.4 passing yards per game rank which ranks worst in the Pac-10 and 108th nationally. But they do have the second best tight end in the country in Ed Dickson. Dickson is a big target at 6-foot-5 for Oregon QB Jeremiah Masoli. He has 27 catches for 362 yards and 4 TDs this season and holds the school record for most receptions by a tight end.

Ed Dickson, meet Taylor Mays. Taylor Mays can make a Bolo tie look stylish. Taylor Mays can order a Shamrock shake year-round. Taylor Mays sleeps on a waterboard. If you ever need help changing a tire call Taylor Mays. He jacks shit up.

For more Taylor Mays facts, click here.

If you are a lady, body painting is never a bad idea for Halloween. You can use this Dallas Cowboys template and maybe do something in Cardinal and Gold.

(Photo by Joanne Gair/SI)

Some other good costume ideas for the ladies: Tinkerbell, Navy Sailor, Cowgirl and Cheerleader:

Best non female body paint costume I have seen so far this year:

(Awesom-O is Awesome but Lakeview Terrace and Hitchcock are not)

Oregon ranks 16th in the nation in scoring offense averaging 34 points per game. USC ranks 16th in the nation in scoring defense averaging 15.14 points per game. Touché.

Oregon has very good looking cheerleaders.

(Photo by Icon Sports Media)

(Photo by Icon Sports Media)

USC also has very good looking cheerleaders. Double Touché.

(Photo by Icon Sports Media)

The Trojans will be without star tight end Anthony McCoy this week. Stanley Havili is making the trip and will be available to play but D.J Shoemate will start. Ronald Johnson is back to returning kickoffs for the Trojans. How spectacular was his catch against the Beavers last week?

(Photo by Icon Sports Media)

If you don’t have good memory, USC beat Oregon 44-10 last year. I know it doesn’t mean a thing this week. Just saying…

Oregon’s defense has only allowed three TDs in their four games against Pac-10 opponents…( CAL, WASH St. UCLA and WASH). The Ducks also rank 19th in the nation in total defense (297 ypg). They have forced 19 turnovers this year, the most in the conference, and rank 10th in the nation with 22 sacks. The Trojans rank 1st with 29. Kenny Rowe is their best linebacker, he has seven sacks this season. Everson Griffen leads the Pac-10 with eight.

You can channel your inner zombie this Halloween with this video. Ed Helms breaks down the everyday life of a zombie for you:

Here are Chapter 2 and Chapter 3. Must watches for anyone thinking of becoming a zombie.

USC is is 13th in the nation in total offense averaging 440.43 yards per game. Matt Barkley leads the Pac-10 in passing yards per game with an average of 256.7 and pass efficiency (148.7). Oregon will be without their best cornerback, Walter Thurmond, who is out for the season with a knee injury. Thurmond might also be the Ducks best all around player.

A Werewolf is never a bad costume idea for Halloween. A better idea though is a Werewolf at a Werewolf Bar Mitzvah:

And in case you are wondering, this is my inspiration for my Halloween costume this year, and every year:

My prediction: The Trojans dominate both lines of scrimmage. The D-Line will make it hard for Oregon to run the ball and pass with any consistency. Our new O-Line (with Butch Lewis in and Kristopher O’dowd) will open up holes for McKnight and Bradford and we run all day on the Ducks, maybe even mix in some play action on a banged up Oregon secondary.

Have fun this Halloween. Be safe, don’t drink and drive, Fight On and BEAT THE DUCKS!