USC hopes the return of senior linebacker Malcolm Smith will help the defense fend off the Arizona State Sun Devils.
The Trojans’ big game against then #2 Oregon, which they lost by a margin of 53-32, was seen as their “bowl game,” their shot to show the world that they’re still the USC Trojans, regardless of the NCAA sanctions.
This week might be even more important.
Few people outside the program (and maybe even inside the program) really expected USC to beat Oregon. Sure, they could, it seemed unlikely they would, and that had nothing to do with a bowl ban.
The tougher test will really be this weekend when they host the Arizona State Sun Devils at the Coliseum. There’s a lot on the line for both teams. Both teams are 2-3 in the conference, fighting for a winning record, in USC’s case, and a bowl bid, in ASU’s. Both teams will be trying to win big to help win over potential recruits.
USC might be two seconds away from a 4-1 record in the Pac-10, but at this point in the season, they really need to buckle down and prove they can rebound after last week’s heavily hyped home loss to the Ducks.
Arizona State also lost to Oregon earlier in the season, but they played the Ducks tough, forcing 11 punts (USC and Oregon each punted the ball five times last week). The Trojans, who struggled to convert on third down against Oregon, are second in the Pac-10 in third-down conversions. Arizona State, however, is first in the conference in third-down defense. USC’s offensive attack isn’t as consistent or as efficient as Oregon’s, especially over a full 60-minute game, leaving plenty of holes for the Devils to exploit.
ASU’s defense, which is second in the Pac-10 against the rush, only allowing 110.2 yards per game, is very physical and will give the Trojans problems. USC should have Allen Bradford and Dillon Baxter back this week, which will boost a run game that was running in place last week against the Ducks.
Quarterback Matt Barkley struggled against the blitz, and head coach and play caller Lane Kiffin admitted after the game that he should’ve helped his QB with easier completions. He has a chance to fix that approach this week against a Sun Devils defense that likes to blitz the quarterback. ASU’s defensive end Junior Onyeali recorded three sacks in last week’s blowout of Washington State; USC’s offensive line is significantly stronger than the Cougs’, but it will have to step up to allow Barkley to make plays. Junior Michael Reardon, returning from injury, is on track to start in front of left guard Butch Lewis this weekend.
The Trojans’ receivers will have their hands full this weekend against the Arizona State secondary, which includes speedy, physical cornerback Omar Bolden, a Southern California native. Linebacker Vontaze Burfict is another product of Centennial High School in Corona with the potential to give ‘SC nightmares – both because of his aggressive, sometimes out-of-control style of play and because he decommitted from USC to play for Arizona State.
USC could certainly use Burfict and Bolden on their defense, which has struggled for the majority of the season. Linebacker Malcolm Smith should be back from the knee injury that sidelined him for the last two games, giving Chris Galippo the chance to reclaim the starting middle linebacker job from Devon Kennard, the team leader in tackles. At safety, Marshall Jones is challenging starter Jawanza Starling.
The Trojans need their best eleven – whoever they are – on the field against Arizona State. ASU quarterback Steven Threet, a transfer from Michigan, leads the Pac-10 in passing with 268 yards per game, for 2,144 yards, 14 touchdowns, and 13 interceptions on the year. The Sun Devils are averaging 293 yards per game in the air, while the Trojans pass defense, surrendering 275.8, is 114th in the nation.
USC will have the edge if they can get to Threet and stall the passing game. While Arizona State is 16th nationally in passing, their rushing game is only 82nd in rushing. Threet’s thrown nearly as many interceptions as touchdown passes, and if the Trojans’s secondary can catch one or two early and force ASU to run the ball more, USC will have the advantage.
In terms of high profile match-ups, USC-ASU, a regionally televised game coming on the heels of visits from Oregon and College Gameday, is pretty much a non-event. But for USC to maintain some pride and some momentum, it’s a must-win.
