Forget about asking if USC is going to lose. That question seems almost moot at this point. Yes, California looks good, but so did Oregon, and so did Arizona State. The Trojans may have started slow against them, but they were never out of control.
No, the real question isn’t whether USC is going to lose (at least, before the national championship game). The real question is: will the Trojans even be challenged?
Just look at Pacific-10 Conference statistics, and you can see what teams are up against. Under the heading “Streak,” you’ve got California with five wins in a row, UCLA with four and Oregon and Oregon State each with one. USC has won 26 consecutive games.
If that’s not intimidating enough, you can’t turn around without hearing that the Trojans have one of the greatest offenses of all time. They’ve got the best quarterback in the nation, a loaded running game, dangerous receivers and a great line. They are averaging 619.5 yards a game, best in the nation, and 54 points, second-best.
USC’s defense has been hurt by some key injuries, but it just means that the offense has to score a little more. Besides, the guys who are filling in for the injured players are starters on just about any other team.
So, outside of just watching USC for the pure joy of watching a great team, is there any reason to tune in to the Trojans? Well, with eight games left, there are two that might give them some trouble.
Next week, USC goes to Notre Dame, and Charlie Weis will be able to figure out some ways to exploit the Trojans defense. But the Irish defense won’t be able to handle USC’s offense, and playing in South Bend won’t be a big deal for the Trojans.
Then you’ve got USC at California on Nov. 12. It’s possible both teams could be undefeated at that point, and it could well decide the Pac-10 championship and maybe a spot in the national title game. The Golden Bears have almost as dangerous an offense as USC, and their offensive line will make things tough on the Trojans. Cal gave USC a great game in Los Angeles last year (losing 23-17). So maybe, just maybe, Cal could end USC’s winning streak.
Other than that, Fresno State and UCLA and possibly Washington State might be able to score enough to make things interesting for awhile against USC. The Trojans will beat Arizona, Washington and Stanford as badly as they want to beat them.
You might hate the Trojans, but you have to respect them. It’s not often you see that much talent on one team.
But what about the other Los Angeles team? How much is UCLA’s 4-0 start and No. 20 national ranking making an impact on the Southern California sports scene?
On my flight back to Seattle (with a stopover in Oakland) after the Bruins’ game last week, there were about 80 Raiders fans (and 10 Cowboys fans) on the flight. There was a lot of sports talk, ranging from college football to the NFL to baseball. There wasn’t one word about UCLA-Washington. A lot of USC talk, but no mention of the Bruins. So say what you will, but even when the Huskies are bad, people care.
A week after looking ridiculous by having three losing teams, including winless Idaho, receive votes, the Harris Poll might look even sillier this week. After all, the Vandals finally won, convincingly, over Utah State last week, and in the latest Harris poll, they no longer have any votes. So Idaho was a better team when it didn’t win than when it did. Still think polls are meaningful?
Stanford vs. Washington St.
Kickoff: 2 p.m., Martin Stadium.
TV: none.
Radio: KRKO (1380 AM).
Stars to watch: Stanford – The most dangerous player on the Cardinal is return man T.J. Rushing, who ranks fifth in the nation in kickoff returns with a 33.6 average and has a touchdown. Quarterback Trent Edwards is completing 58.5 percent of his passes. Linebacker Kevin Schimmelmann is averaging 10 tackles a game. Safeties Brandon Harrison and David Lofton are the other top tacklers. Kicker Michael Sgroi is 5-for-8 on field goals and has made all nine of his extra points.
Washington State – Running back Jerome Harrison ranks sixth in the nation, averaging 130.8 yards a game and has eight touchdowns. Quarterback Alex Brink, coming off of a school record-setting game, ranks 14th in the country in total offense (305.3 yards), is completing 58.6 percent of his passes for 306 yards a game and has 10 touchdowns. His top target has been Jason Hill, who ranks second in the nation with 130.3 yards a game, is averaging 18.6 yards a catch with seven touchdowns. Return man Michael Bumpus averages 16.2 yards on punt returns. Kicker Loren Langley is 7-for-7 on field goals. Linemen Adam Braidwood (three-and-half sacks, two forced fumbles) and Mkristo Bruce (three sacks) lead the defense. Linebacker Steve Dildine has 26 tackles. Safety Eric Frampton has broken up five passes.
Breaking down the game: Washington State failed in its first real test of the season, losing an early lead and the game to Oregon State. Still, the Cougars’ offense continues to put up big numbers because of excellent balance. Washington State ranks fifth in the nation in total offense (530.8) and tied for sixth in scoring offense (43.5). WSU will be hurt by the loss of linebacker Will Derting, who has made his team one of the nation’s best against the run. but going against a struggling Stanford team should help. The Cardinal, who lost to Division I-AA UC Davis earlier this year, averages 26 points and gives up 34. Stanford has the worst passing and total offense in the league. It also ranks last in the Pac-10 in total defense. Both teams have strong special teams.
Bottom line: Washington State still has a lot to prove, but may be looking ahead to next week’s home game against UCLA. Stanford has been an odd team, opening the season with a win at Navy before losing its last two. Expect the Cardinal to play the Cougars tough, but Washington State picks up a big win, though isn’t necessarily impressive in doing so.
Pick: Washington State 27, Stanford 25
Other Pac-10 games
Arizona at USC: The Trojans could look ahead to next week’s game at Notre Dame and still win easily, toying with the Wildcats by playing reserves liberally. Pick: USC 35-13.
California at UCLA: A huge game that could decide who will challenge USC for the Pac-10 title. The Bruins won’t rebound from unimpressive game against the UW while Cal continues collision course toward USC. Pick: California 30-22.
Oregon at Arizona State: An entertaining game featuring two top quarterbacks who were both put in their place by USC. Both the Ducks and Sun Devils want to show they are still top teams, but ASU takes advantage of its home field. Pick: Arizona State 32-28.
Mike Allende is The Herald’s college football writer
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