Oregon 2012 Football Schedule Released: Ducks at USC Nov. 3

With the Pac-12 season officially over, the Pac-12 has released the 2012 conference football schedule. With the Pac-12 games announced, we know Oregon's schedule. Here it is (thanks to ProbablyMonty in the comments)

Sat, 9/1: vs. Arkansas State
Sat, 9/8: vs. Fresno State
Sat, 9/15: vs. Tennessee Tech
Sat, 9/22: vs. Arizona
Sat, 9/29: @ Washington State
Sat, 10/6: vs. washington
Thu, 10/18: @ Arizona State
Sat, 10/27: vs. Colorado
Sat, 11/3: @ Southern Cal
Sat, 11/10: @ California
Sat, 11/17: vs. Stanford
Sat, 11/24: @ Oregon State
Fri, 11/30: PAC-12 championship

Obviously, the first thing that jumps out at you is the game against USC. With Colorado following, and a Thursday game before that, the Ducks will hopefully be in good shape injury-wise heading into the likely battle for Pac-12 supremacy.

But once again, Oregon will have a very tough November. After USC, they must go again on the road to Cal's rebuilt stadium (though the visitor's locker room won't have any improvements). Then, Stanford at home, followed by what may be an improved OSU team on the road, followed up by (hopefully) a Pac-12 title game.

With a very weak non-conference schedule, it's very likely that Oregon is set up well for a run into November, but 3 games in a row against USC, Cal, and Stanford, with the first two on the road, don't make me thrilled

With a large chunk of the team back next season, Oregon is expected to be a contender for the national title. With the back-loaded schedule and an assumed preseason ranking, the Ducks are set up well for both if they can take care of business.