COLLEGE FOOTBALL / GAME DAY

* Time: 7:15 p.m.

* Site: Autzen Stadium, Eugene, Ore.

* TV: Fox Sports West.

* Radio: XTRA (690).

* The offenses: USC reverted to some of its bad habits against San Diego State with a spate of penalties and an interception that was returned for a touchdown--the second against USC this season. Quarterback Carson Palmer has shown flashes of brilliance but wasn’t as consistent last week as he was against Hawaii. With receiver Windrell Hayes out tonight because of a sprained ankle, the Trojans need to be much closer to mistake-free offensively. Oregon’s offense was expected to struggle after losing quarterback Akili Smith, the No. 3 pick in the NFL draft. But A.J. Feeley has stepped in effectively, though he certainly lacks the game-breaking running ability Smith showed on a 62-yard touchdown run against USC last season. Tailback Reuben Droughns practiced lightly late in the week because of soreness in his ankle, but is returning to form after sitting out half of last season--including the USC game--because of the severe ankle injury he suffered against UCLA. His backup is Herman Ho-Ching, the former Long Beach Poly player.

* The defenses: Oregon Coach Mike Bellotti believes USC’s defense might be better this season. “I know they had a good defense last year, but they’re probably better this year just by the nature of some of the things they’re doing,” Bellotti said. “Markus Steele is easing the loss of Chris Claiborne because he just seems to be making plays all over the field.” Steele’s nose for the ball has resulted in two fumble recoveries--one returned for a touchdown--and an interception, and new starting cornerback Kris Richard has three interceptions in two games. Oregon’s defense is a veteran group, with eight seniors and three juniors in the starting lineup. The star is inside linebacker Peter Sirmon, who led the Pac-10 with 115 tackles as a sophomore in 1997 but missed most of last season because of a torn chest muscle.

* Key to the game: USC’s defense is capable of keeping Oregon in check, so it falls to the offense. The big question is whether R. Jay Soward and Kareem Kelly can shake the Ducks’ coverage consistently to take advantage of Palmer’s passing ability.

* Fast fact: Oregon has a 10-game winning streak at Autzen Stadium, and the Ducks have a .719 winning mark at home in the 1990s (41-16).

* Line: Oregon by 1.

HOW THEY COMPARE

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USC OREGON 43.0 Scoring 44.3 14.0 Points Allowed 21.7 219.0 Passing Offense 287.0 187.5 Rushing Offense 159.7 406.5 Total Offense 446.7 184.0 Passing Defense 241.7 50.5 Rushing Defense 124.7 234.5 Total Defense 366.4

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