Oregon plays USC in under two weeks. Oregon's tactics and coaching acumen have been questioned after the Ducks' shocking loss to Oklahoma State. Oregon's toughness has been challenged, too, as Duck Sports Central reported:
"An on-field photographer checked the turf temperature at halftime and it read 146 degrees. It went up from there. OSU coaches had their players practice outdoors everyday last week to prep for the Ducks, and one Cowboy player called out a toughness factor that he believes Oregon doesn’t have.
“'I kinda use the moniker ‘west coast kids’ that I felt like they weren’t as tough as us, and they hadn’t been through as much and that showed,' said senior defensive lineman James Williams. The Florida State transfer recovered a fumble
late in the 4th quarter that helped seal the win for OSU. 'My entire side of the family is from Oregon and California . . . it’s just a difference. When I play with my cousins, when I’m playing basketball with them . . . they’ll call fouls all the time. . . It’s like, ok you guys gotta play tough eventually (but they don’t). . and that kind of thing showed during the game. A lot of teams will come out and see if you’re willing to fight, how much you’re willing to put down. Are you willing to drop your you-know-what and stand there and fight? Or, are you going to lay down and roll over, which is what they (Oregon) thought we were gonna do.'”
USC has to be the tougher team when it faces Oregon. These are not the elite Ducks of previous years. They are vulnerable, and the Trojans need to swing their sword against them.
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This article originally appeared on Trojans Wire: Oregon toughness questioned after humiliating loss to Oklahoma State
