From Oregon State’s opening offensive drive, as 5-6 Jacquizz pinballed his way through the supposedly lockdown USC defense, any fan of the game could tell that this one had upset potential. The Trojans were flat and performing half-heartedly, like the cast of Entourage this season, while Oregon State was all Trueblood. Crazy? Maybe, but they believed in their script even if we did not.

Because every college football game is a two-man version of Russian roulette, the drama only amped as the Beavers built their lead to 21-0. We all knew that USC would make a run, and we were all mesmerized wondering whether the Beavers had it in them to hold off that charge.

My friend Lara, a USC alum, a loyal member of the Fight On! Faithful, began texting me as early as the second quarter from Hermosa Beach.

9:52 p.m. EST: Trust in Pete!!!

9:58 p.m.: Please tell me I am having a nightmare.

10:00 p.m.: Wait! What is the Notre Dame football team doing playing in USC jerseys? (had to go there)

10:26 p.m.: Please make the bad man stop!

10:43 p.m.: I want to ask Dr. Lou how to mend my broken heart.

11:19 p.m. I think the real USC football team — not to be confused with the Real Housewives of Orange County — just showed up

12:16 a.m.: I think I just saw USC fall out of the top ten.

12:31 a.m.: USC-ya, season!

Slide show   Week in Sports Pictures A Duck goes for a ride, a NASCAR driver takes flight, some bankers take to boxing, and much more. more photos

That accounts for about 10 percent of all the texts she sent during the game (though, it should be noted, 100 percent of the clean ones). And so USC loses to an OSU in September and it isn’t the Buckeyes. The college football season takes another turn on its indirect but far more fascinating journey to finding a champion.

The NFL? It can have the interstate. We college football fans prefer the back roads, the ones that lead to Corvallis. Next stop, Athens.

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