When USC faces Arizona at home this week, both teams will be trying to bounce back after tough losses in the desert last weekend.
The Trojans are coming off a 43-22 loss to Arizona State in Tempe, and the Wildcats are trying to erase the memory of a 56-31 defeat in Tucson at the hands (or legs) of LaMichael James and the Oregon Ducks. In both games last week, USC and Arizona mounted second-half comebacks before ultimately falling short.
USC defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin will need to have his guys ready to go against Arizona's potent offense, led by QB Nick Foles
This week, though, one of them will have to win, and it will depend largely on which defense is stronger: Arizona’s against the run, or USC’s against the ‘Cats passing game.
Arizona is 4th in the nation in passing yards per game thanks to the arm strength and accuracy of senior quarterback Nick Foles. Foles is one of the top QBs in the conference, along with USC’s Matt Barkley – both have thrown 10 touchdowns on the year, but Foles has remained interception-free through three games, while Barkley has thrown three interceptions on the season, including two last weekend.
Foles, though, has been sacked 12 times already, compared to Barkley’s four. The Trojans defense will need to bring pressure against Foles to interrupt the passing game before the ball even gets to the secondary. USC’s secondary is still not its strongest unit, and Arizona receivers Juron Criner (12 catches for 295 yards and 2 TDs) and Dan Buckner (19 catches for 255 yards and 1 TD) could give the Trojan defenders fits downfield.
USC has a remarkable passing game of its own, with Barkley throwing to top young receivers Robert Woods and Marqise Lee, but the bigger key for the Trojans this week will be their ability to establish the run. They failed to do that until the second half last week against ASU, when it was a little too late, but against Arizona’s weak run defense, they should be more successful.
The Wildcats’ defense is the weakest in the conference, partly due to the rash of injuries suffered in preseason and the first few games. They’re allowing an average of 233.5 yards per game, which is good news for Trojans’ tailback Marc Tyler, who had a career-game against the ‘Cats last season. In the last two games, Stanford running back Stepfan Taylor and Oregon’s James each ran for career highs against the Arizona defense. Tyler, USC’s leading rusher despite missing the opener, should be able to gain significant yards on the ground, which will give Barkley and his receivers more freedom in the passing game. The flimsy rush defense could also open up opportunities for some of the Trojans’ other backs to see more playing time.
If USC can put together a balanced offensive attack and maintain a strong defensive front, they should be able to win easily despite Arizona’s dangerous passing game. Last year’s match-up was a close one, with the Trojans winning, 24-21.
If it comes down to a field goal this year, the edge goes to the Trojans. Arizona’s kickers, Jaime Salazar and Alex Vendejas, have combined to miss three field goals and two extra points already this season, while USC’s true freshman kicker, Andre Heidari, has made 5 of 6 field goal attempts and all eight extra points. Trojans fans will just need to hope Lane Kiffin lets him kick it, instead of going for two.
