Things you need to know.

ESPN GameDay at the game.
In case you haven't heard it yet, it's true. Corso and the boys will be waking us up from Eugene. Starting at 7 a.m. Pacific, they will do their show from the Casanova Center parking lot. Of course everyone wants Corso to wear the Duck head. But look for signs urging Herbstreit to pick USC. He's been wrong about Oregon all season, and we don't want him to break the streak now.

Game on ABC or ESPN2. 
For most everybody, the game will be on ABC at 5 pm Pacific. But if you're in a part of the country where it's not, don't panic. It will be on ESPN2.  ABC and ESPN have gotten really good this year about saying which games they're going to televise, and then rotating them to one of their varying stations depending on the region -- but televising the games nevertheless.

The fans have spoken: BLACKOUT
Officials at Oregon wanted to apply the theme "Fright Night" to this Halloween game. But that hasn't gone over as well as one of the most spontaneous and successful fan generated grass roots campaigns I've seen in sports since an entire boxing crowd demanded Mike Tyson spit out Evander Holyfield's ear that very instant.

BLACKOUT appears to be the theme. Blogs, boards, and chats are urging game goers to wear black as the primary and only accessorizing with yellow or green. (Did I just make that sound gay?)

The same goes for the team. Fans are demanding they come out with all black uni's. They've GOT to do it. Don't disappoint the fans.

If you haven't seen this, the Oregonian has posted a digital 'paper doll' type game with Oregon's uniform combinations.  You can separately select helmets, jersey, pants, and socks and shoes. It's easy and fun!

I plugged in all black. It looks sharp. If you want to see my own spin on it though, plug in black helmet, jersey and pants with WHITE socks.  NOW were lookin' fine.
Here's the link: http://blog.oregonlive.com/behindducksbeat/2009/10/oregon_ducks_uniforms_all_blac.html

Injury Report:
The Ducks are as healthy as they can expect to be. Jeremiah Masoli's knee is fine. He'll wear a brace as a precaution. Safety TJ Ward is back. And he couldn't come at a better time to introduce himself to Mr. Barkley. Offensive lineman Mark Asper hurt his foot this week but latest word is he's OK and will play. Talmadge Jackson III hurt his back at Washington. He practiced all week and will play.  Offensive lineman C.E. Kaiser was banged up. He'll play.
It's go time. They're all just gonna rub some dirt on it and get out there.

Don't just take it from me:
Here are the Oregonian's own John Canzano and Ken Goe showing their frightful selves in front of a camera to discuss OSU/UCLA and Oregon/USC. They talk about OSU until about the six minute mark if you want to skip ahead. (Sorry Beav fans. But we just don't care. We'll deal with you in 34 days.)
I believe/hope/believe/hope Canzano is right about Matt Barkley and how he'll stack up against Oregon's defense and Autzen.

College Football Insiders (CFI), Week 9

Some final thoughts.
It's real simple. If USC wins, they deserve the Rose Bowl if not more. But they just don't look like they have it all together this season. As another writer pointed out, the it factor is what everyone looks for. And the buzz is that Oregon has it this season. USC, not so much.
I think it's going to happen. I think Oregon will pull this off. I'm not big on score predictions. One more point is all we need. These Ducks are mature, they're ready. Pete Carroll THINKS he's played against this Duck spread option before. He hasn't played Chip Kelly's Ducks. This team is different. Cal and Washinton can tell you that.

I'm really excited . . . . . . . . . Waiting for kickoff . . . . . . . . . . . . . . OK. I'm gonna go throw up now.] --kb