The BCS heavyweight Ducks won't be the only top 10 team to struggle this weekend, however, as the competition gets even tougher as we near the season's end.
Here are three BCS top 10 squads that will just barely avoid defeat in week 12:
No. 4 Oregon Ducks Over USC Trojans
The Ducks return home to Autzen Stadium after picking up a season-changing win on the road at Stanford last Saturday night.
Oregon is one of several one-loss contenders in the BCS title game race at this point in the season—right behind Alabama.
Although Oregon is favored by 15 points at home this weekend, USC's 27th-ranked passing attack will shred that projected line. The Trojans also score more than 34 points per game and have lost on the road just once all season.
Matt Barkley continues to shine under center for USC, completing nearly 67 percent of his passes in 2011 for 2,782 yards and 29 touchdowns, while tossing just six interceptions in 10 games.
No. 5 Oklahoma Sooners Over No. 22 Baylor Bears
The one-loss Sooners are on upset alert in week 12 as they head to Texas to take on Robert Griffin III and the top 25-ranked Baylor Bears, who are 16-point underdogs.
Both Big 12 teams boast top five offenses, and combined rack up more than 1,100 per game. Although Oklahoma's passing attack ranks slightly better than Baylor's, the Bears have a significant edge on the ground in this game.
Not only does Baylor rank sixth in the nation in passing offense, but it also ranks 20th in rushing offense. Oklahoma ranks 53rd in rushing offense and collected 46 less yards per game than Baylor.
The Bears second-ranked scoring offense will test the Sooners' shaky defense, which was burned for 41 points at home in its only loss in 2011 to Texas Tech.
Baylor will be tough to beat in Waco. After all, they are 5-0 at home this season, but all three of the Bears' losses have come to ranked Big 12 opponents.
Oklahoma steals this game on the road to stay in the title game hunt.
This ACC matchup in Raleigh presents an excellent upset opportunity for the 5-5 Wolfpack, who are only 8-point underdogs playing at home.
Clemson has only won two of three road games all season, losing to Georgia Tech and barely beating a bad Maryland team in College Park last October.
The Tigers have clinched the ACC Atlantic Division at 6-1 in the conference and may very well underestimate the Wolfpack on Saturday.
The Tigers also enter the game with a seven-game win streak over NC State, which could very well do them in this weekend.
Still, Clemson is leagues better than their ACC rival in week 12, and will end its conference schedule on a high note with a road win.
