NEU » d in on what could happen

LOS ANGELES -- Oregon is ordinary. Southern California is just so-so.Two down seasons have removed some of the shine from these West Coast powers showdown at the Coliseum on Saturday. For the first time in the 21st century, neither USC nor Oregon is ranked for their meeting.But theres still plenty of reason for both teams to keep fighting. The Trojans (5-3, 4-2 Pac-12) have a four-game winning streak and plans for continued contention in the Pac-12 South, while the Ducks (3-5, 1-4) are playing for bowl eligibility and a boost to next season -- and possibly coach Mark Helfrichs job security.Like I told our team, dont buy into this 3-5 record that they have, USC coach Clay Helton said. This team could easily be 6-2, and if you dont bring your `A game, youre going to get beat. We have to take this game as serious as a heart attack.The game also features a matchup between two promising freshman quarterbacks who refused to wait their turns to play.Sam Darnold will get his sixth straight start for USC, while Justin Herbert will make his fourth start for Oregon. Both passers seized their jobs from their older counterparts during the disappointing stretches of their teams seasons, and both have capitalized impressively.Darnold is the type of athletic, big-armed quarterback who would look perfect in the Ducks up-tempo offense, and the school pursued him in recruiting. The Orange County native made an unofficial visit to Eugene before committing to USC, and he won the Trojans starting job as a redshirt in September, usurping veteran Max Browne .Five games later, Darnold has already set USCs freshman single-season record with 18 touchdown passes.Hes just a really good football player and surrounded by excellent talent, Helfrich said. A guy that presents a great passing threat and a great run threat that really makes it go.Herbert pulled a similar trick at Oregon this season, taking over for Dakota Prukop after the Ducks 2/3 start. The first true freshman to start for Oregon since 1983 has posted a series of lofty offensive performances, even setting the school record for total offense with 512 yards last week against Arizona State while the Ducks ended their five-game skid.Herbert knows the USC defense presents a markedly different challenge. The Trojans have been on a roll defensively during their streak, most recently holding high-octane California to 24 points in a blowout win.I think theyre just an exceptional team, Herbert said. So regardless (of their record), theyre going to have a good defense and a great offense.Here are more things to know about the schools 61st meeting:GROUND GAME: The Trojans offense started to roll during an undefeated October, and it shows no signs of slowing. USC averaged 264 yards rushing per game in October despite losing top tailback Justin Davis to injury, while Oregons run defense is ranked a dismal 116th in the nation.COUGHING IT UP: The Oregon defenses best shot to stop USC might reside in Darnolds pattern of turnovers. He has thrown 16 touchdown passes in the last four weeks, but also threw four interceptions. In addition, he lost two fumbles apiece in wins over Colorado and Cal. The freshman is working on ball security, but Helton also doesnt want to remove the exciting, risk-taking style that has made Darnold stand out.ADOREEBLE: The Ducks are well aware of Adoree Jackson, the cornerback and kick returner whose speed has few equals in college football. The junior already holds USCs career kickoff return yardage record, and he leads the Pac-12 in both punt return yardage and kickoff return yardage this season. Adoree Jackson, getting him out of the game is a huge, huge key to success there, Helfrich said.CALLED FOR TRAVELING: Oregon played the USC fight song during practice this week to prepare the Ducks for what should be a fairly full Coliseum. But Helfrich drew the line at a simulated Traveler, the Trojans mascot: We didnt bring in a horse.---AP college football website: www.collegefootball.ap.org Tanoh Kpassagnon Super Bowl Jersey . The 25-year-old Japanese star has officially been posted by his club team, the Rakuten Golden Eagles. Harrison Butker Super Bowl Jersey . -- When the Florida Panthers fell behind by two goals in the first period to the top team in the NHL, it appeared they were on their way to yet another loss. http://www.officialkcchiefspro.com/Patrick-mahomes-ii-chiefs-jersey/ . 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CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Pro Bowl linebacker Thomas Davis says the Carolina Panthers have to understand their window is closing if they hope to achieve their goal of returning to the playoffs and Super Bowl.Carolina is 1-4 heading into Sundays game at New Orleans (1-3). None of the previous four teams that started 1-5 or worse after reaching the Super Bowl has made the playoffs, according to Elias Sports Bureau.That includes the 2004 Panthers, who began 1-7 after losing to New England in Super Bowl XXXVIII.Whenever you are put in a position that we put ourselves in right now as a football team, to start our season out 1-4 when we had so many high expectations coming into this season, without a doubt we have to realize everything that we had set forth to accomplish this season is still in front of us, Davis said on Thursday.But we also have to realize the window is closing. We cant continue to lose football games and try to accomplish the things we want to accomplish as a football team.The Panthers are three games behind Atlanta (4-1) in the NFC South. They are 0-2 in the division with losses to the Falcons and Tampa Bay.Every game moving forward is a must-win game for us as a football team, Davis said. Were not focused in on what could happen late in the season. Were not looking for this to be another 3-8-1 start annd pray and hope that other people do our jobs for us.dddddddddddd Its all about taking care of our job right now and controlling what we can control.The 2014 Panthers started 3-8-1 but trailed Atlanta and New Orleans by only a game and a half with four games remaining. They won out, including victories against the Falcons and Saints, to win the NFC South and make the playoffs with a 7-8-1 record.Carolina coach Ron Rivera said his team understands the sense of urgency and how to deal with adversity. He offered a reminder of the 2014 team that didnt win for two months, as well as last years team that started 14-0 after losing star receiver Kelvin Benjamin during training camp.I think they do get the sense of urgency, but theres some things we cant control, Rivera said. So the biggest thing we can do is control what we can, and thats us, what we do when we get on the football field. Thats all we can do.I know its a tough situation. I know people wish we were 4-1. S---, I wish we were 4-1. But the bottom line is were not. We are what our record says we are. So we have to go out and take them one at a time. We have to play each game as if its the most important game were about to play. ' ' '