Here lies USC: It used to be great, and now it's not

EUGENE, Ore. -- How do you want the obit to read?

The great USC dynasty died here Saturday of natural causes. It will be fondly remembered for dominating the first decade of the 21st century with its high-powered offense and smothering defense. It is survived by three recent Heisman winners. In lieu of flowers, loved ones suggest you send Holiday Bowl ticket orders.

Mark Sanchez and USC now must pick up the pieces of their shattered dynasty. (AP)

USC might be back at some point, but it won't be any time soon. Not after its worst Pac-10 loss under Pete Carroll and worst conference loss overall in seven years. Not after losing for a shocking fourth time in its last 15 games. Not after ceding control of the Pac-10 and dropping out of the national championship race before Halloween.

Not after watching Oregon -- those plucky Ducks -- tap dance off the Autzen Stadium turf with its biggest win and best team in six years.

"This was a great win," Oregon's Mike Bellotti said after the 24-17 victory before a record Autzen crowd, "simply because USC has been the flag-bearer for this conference for the last three years."

That statement alone proves what a shock USC's downturn is the college football world. Three years? USC has won a record five straight Pac-10 titles. Within that time it has won two national championships and played for another. It's an era of dominance that is almost certain to come to an end, at least this season. Even if the Trojans win out, they look oh-so vulnerable right now.

"This one," quarterback Mark Sanchez said, "hurts."

The Trojans were done in by a Vince Young clone (Oregon's Dennis Dixon), three turnovers and a Ducks defense that played like, well, USC's used to play.

The margin was only seven, but translated into the language of USC's dynasty seven seems more like 70. The Trojans were showing signs of wear -- if you consider wear losing three games in the last year by a total seven points before Saturday. And you should.

Since losing the 2006 Rose Bowl, the losses have been to Oregon State, UCLA, Stanford and Oregon. Not exactly world beaters, including the Ducks, who look like Pac-10 and BCS bowl contenders now but were 7-6 a year ago.

"We still have a lot to prove," Bellotti said.

If the Ducks are on the upswing, USC is in some sort of limbo. Oregon offensive coordinator Chip Kelly said USC has seven first-round draft choices on its defense. So how does Dixon look like the second coming of Young? Because Dixon has done similar stuff to just about everyone this season, and USC looks like just about everyone.

"Once that ball starts rolling, it can't be stopped," said Dixon, who accounted for 233 yards in total offense. "The only person that can hurt us is ourselves."