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USC Trojans @ Stanford Cardinal Football Preview

Lane Kiffin is navigating uncharted territory.  

USC is not accustomed to looking up in the rankings against its opponent very often. Yet, that is the situation the Trojans face Saturday when they travel to take on No. 16 Stanford at 5 p.m. Pacific time this Saturday on the Farm in Palo Alto.

A 32-31 loss to Washington sent the Trojans reeling on Oct. 2. A matador defense allowed the Huskies’ offense to march up and down the field repeatedly, including during the game’s final drive. On the other side of the ball, a USC offense that was sharp for most of the day couldn’t put the game away in the final minutes. Both units are concerns entering the annual “weekender” trip to the Bay Area. 

Stanford is a fitting team to challenge USC’s air of rapidly-diminishing superiority. The Cardinal first announced its presence to the Trojans with a 24-23 win in the Los Angeles Coliseum in 2007, a win as a 41-point underdog that was rightly called one of college football’s greatest upsets ever. Last year, Stanford set several records with a demoralizing 55-21 victory in L.A.

Jim Harbaugh and Pete Carroll fanned the flames of the rivalry for the last three years. But even with Carroll off to the NFL, that burning competitive flare is likely to remain as bright as ever while the Trojans – already backed into a corner in 2010 – fight for their college football livelihood. This contest may go a long way toward providing each team’s answer to the lingering question, “what’s your deal?”

Even coming off a 52-31 loss to Oregon, Stanford poses a severe offensive threat to a USC defense that has twice given up more than 500 yards. Gone is Toby Gerhart, the Stanford workhorse who pummeled the Trojans last year in their own house, but quarterback Andrew Luck proved more than capable of making plays against USC’s defense in 2009.

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The Trojans may have trouble corralling Luck on scrambles. The redshirt sophomore ran for 61 yards against the Trojans last year. Jake Locker tallied 110 yards rushing in addition to his 310 passing yards last week versus USC, so it’s evident that the Trojans and defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin will have their work cut out for them.

The battle at running back continues in the Trojans’ backfield, even after Allen Bradford’s 223-yard performance against Washington. Kiffin refused to name a starter on Monday and may rotate backs for another game. Oregon racked up 388 yards and four touchdowns against Stanford’s defense last week, so the ground attack is sure to be a focal point for USC’s offensive game plan.

Jacob Harfman may be in position to unseat Joe Houston at kicker this week for the Trojans. Houston missed a 40-yard field goal late in the fourth quarter against Washington that would have given the USC a four-point lead. Yet, one gets the sense that if this game is decided by a late field goal, USC will have done quite well to stay in the ring against Stanford. The Trojans could very well suffer an early knockout punch against a loaded opponent on the road.

By Mike Schwartz
DFN Sports Staff Writer