I think USC certainly qualifies as a defense with a pulse...and oregon put 40 on them.
The rose bowl is going to be a very interest battle of matchups. Old big-ten power game versus sexy-west coast spread option. Watching tonight's OSU defense, I noticed that they didn't tackle, didn't do a good job of staying in their lanes, and didn't get off blocks. Because of the zone-read, our DE's are going to have to be really good at getting up field, but doing that in control so that they can bounce out if the ball goes there. Getting penetration with only our front-four will be the key to stopping this offense (true with most offenses, but I think especially with this one because so much happens 5-6 yards behind the line of scrimmage). Penetration will also force them to go east-west and allow our linebackers and safeties to come down and make plays in their backfield.
Obviously, the other basics like tackling and staying in lanes will be key. I'm pretty confident that we can do that; our defense always seems rather disciplined. I'm slightly worried about our d-line; while dominant, they haven't owned the line of scrimmage (in my opinion) the last 2 weeks against Iowa and UM. Hopefully, they bring it in Pasadena.
I don't want to think about what our offense can/will do. I'd like to see us run a power-run game with some play-action passes, but w/e works at this point will make me happy.