This week we are going to do a double dip of game previews! Click here if you want to see if I think Michigan State will be the next Big Ten victim on the big stage. There was a second game I wanted to get into this week and it’s USC at Stanford. If I’m being honest this will probably be one of the hardest games I pick all season since there are legit arguments to be made for both teams. Neither team was tested last week as USC won 52-13 and Stanford won 45-0. Let’s get it.
Stanford is a team to me that started out ranked a bit too low. David Shaw’s group is always in contention and this year will be no different. Yes they are replacing some key guys on defense especially Murphy and Skov but as the shutout in game one proved, their defense will still be very good. On the offensive side of the ball Stanford will obviously need to run the ball well to keep their defense fresh and keep USC’s high powered offense off the field. Think of this game plan for Stanford as very similar to the plan they employ against Oregon not that Steve Sarkisian is running the show at Southern Cal. Stanford will need to convert in the redzone better this year than they did last year when they went 2-4 inside the 20 in a loss to USC. Kevin Hogan’s maturation as a QB will continue to be key for Stanford as well. Can he do the little things to keep drives alive against a swarming USC defense and not turn the ball over like he did twice in last year’s game?
USC has had so many distractions to start the season that I know they were glad to get the season started. Josh Shaw and racist allegations from burned player Anthony Brown against the Head Coach did not stop them from racking up 701 total yards against Fresno State. Steve Sarkisian’s offense ran almost as many plays (105) as Stanford allowed yards (115) in the opening week. Stanford isn’t Fresno though so what’s the key for the Trojans? Pace. Will USC be able to keep Stanford’s defense on the field and wear them down? USC will need to keep Stanford off balance with diverse play calling and personnel groups. If they can do that and create a couple of turnovers they will be in good shape. The thing that worries me about USC is Cody Kessler. This will be his toughest test of the season and only comes in week two. The Trojans must get off to a good start to force Stanford to be a bit more one-dimensional in their attack.
Keep an eye on the matchup between a couple a future NFL players on the lines. Leonard Williams at DE for USC and Andrus Peat and LT for Stanford. If one of them is able to dominate, it will go a long way to helping decide this game. Ultimately, these teams will play another close game in a series that has become one of college football’s best rivalries. I think the Trojans pull off a close win though in an instant classic.
USC 24-Stanford 21