USC averaged 190.8 rushing yards across its first 10 games this fall. On Saturday, an Oregon defense that struggled to stop the run in the early parts of this fall stifled the No. 15 Trojans' ground game, limiting USC to 52 rushing yards as the No. 7 Ducks improved to 10-1.

"I think it's huge when you can take away a team's strength," Oregon coach Dan Lanning said after the 42-27 win. "I think they've been able to run the ball really well this season, and for us to be able to stop it was big."

The in-season turnaround of the Ducks' run defense, which has held each of its past four opponents to less than 125 yards rushing, is powering the program toward a second straight College Football Playoff appearance. Across the country, vastly improved units like Oregon's and individual players

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