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USC Trojans @ Washington State Cougars Football Preview

The September slumber is almost over. 

USC’s opening slate has been anything but challenging. Yet, the Trojans have not put away any of their opponents in truly impressive fashion.  

They’ll have another chance when they open Pac-10 play Saturday against Washington State at Martin Stadium at noon Pacific Time. 

No matter the opponent, this possibility is waiting to become reality: Lane Kiffin is looking to become the first USC coach in 59 years to start his career 4-0. 

This game will likely be viewed as a tune-up for next week’s contest against Washington. Washington State has lost 11 straight games against FBS teams, including a 35-21 loss last week to SMU. The Trojans have also won their last seven games against Washington State.

However, USC is still on watch for a letdown against the Cougars. Last year’s 27-6 game at the Coliseum, in which the offense massively underperformed, indicated that something wasn’t quite right about the Trojans that year. USC has issues right now, and it needs to correct its problems against the Cougars before taking on legitimately good opponents for the remainder of the 2010 season.

Marc Tyler is battling to hold on to his starting job at running back this week after Allen Bradford’s strong effort against Minnesota. However, Tyler still has the early lead after earning the top spot on the early-week depth chart. There could be ample opportunities for USC ball carriers on Saturday – Washington State gave up 257 yards and 4 touchdowns to Oklahoma State’s Kendall Hunter in the opening week of the season, and USC has similar talent in its stable of running backs.

The passing game has been a lone bright spot for Washington State. Quarterback Jeff Tuel has a 5-to-1 touchdown-to-interception ratio in his first three games. True freshman Marquess Wilson has been one of the team’s lone playmakers. The wide receiver is coming off a 148-yard performance last week.

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That could mean trouble for a USC secondary that has repeatedly given up big plays in its first three games. Washington State coach Paul Wulff stated that he had confidence in the Cougars’ aerial attack this week.

With that having been said, the Cougars will have to find a way to protect Tuel after giving up eight sacks in last year’s game. The USC defensive line is also coming off perhaps its strongest performance of the year, limiting Minnesota to 83 yards rushing last week.

Wulff’s livelihood, or at least what remains of it, could be at stake on Saturday. With a road game at UCLA and then three ranked opponents following, Wulff can’t afford many more embarrassments. At the very least, the Cougars will have incentive to erase the memory of the 69-0 drubbing USC administered in its last visit to Martin Stadium in 2008.

No matter the result, the Trojans’ slide in the Associated Press Poll is likely to continue. USC has dropped two spots in each of the last three weeks. Even a lopsided win would not be likely to change much in the eyes of voters.  

What the Trojans can do, however, is change their own internal perception and outlook. This is a team that needs an injection of confidence; if the Trojans can’t elevate their level of play now, they’re going to have a brutal second half this season.

By Mike Schwartz
DFN Sports Staff Writer