Southern California @ Stanford preview
Stanford Stadium
Last Meeting ( Oct 29, 2011 ) Stanford 56, Southern California 48
It would be nearly impossible for the drama of the past two meetings to be equalled when No. 3 Southern California travels to Palo Alto, Calif., to face No. 16 Stanford, but the matchup is nonetheless one of the most-anticipated games of the week and a key contest in shaping the Pac-12 title race. The Cardinal have won three straight meetings - including the past two on the final play of the game - and four of the last five. Stanford has never won four straight in the series, which dates to 1905. USC leads the series 58-28-3. Stanford is 5-2 at home against ranked opponents since 2009, including a 1-2 mark against top-10 teams.
TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, Fox. LINE: USC -7.5
ABOUT USC (2-0, 0-0 Pac-12): The Trojans boast one of the most talented offenses in the country, led by senior quarterback Matt Barkley, who leads the nation with 10 touchdown passes through two games. Barkley has two dangerous targets in receivers Robert Woods and Marqise Lee, and the passing game is complemented by two strong runners in Curtis McNeal and Penn State transfer Silas Redd, who had his first 100-yard rushing game as a Trojan last week. The defense appeared susceptible to the pass in last week's 42-29 victory over Syracuse, allowing 322 of the Orange's 455 total yards through the air.
ABOUT STANFORD (2-0, 0-0): The Cardinal had to reload after losing a number of stars off last year's team to the NFL, but have picked up where they left off despite playing 10 true freshmen and having 24 players make their collegiate debut through two games. Among the new starters is senior quarterback Josh Nunes, who set career highs with 16 completions, 275 passing yards and three touchdowns in last week's 50-13 victory against Duke. The Cardinal will have to do a better job against Barkley and the USC passing game after allowing 358 yards through the air last week, but the run defense is stout, giving up only 27 yards on the ground to the Blue Devils. The running game, led by senior Stepfan Taylor (185 yards), could help keep Barkley off the field.
EXTRA POINTS
1. The Trojans have scored at least 30 points in 10 consecutive games.
2. Barkley ranks third on USC's career list for passing yards (9,613) and total offense (9,555), trailing Carson Palmer and Matt Leinart on both lists. He is second to Leinart (99) with 90 touchdown passes.
3. Stanford is seeking its third straight 3-0 start, something it hasn't done since 1970-72. Cardinal coach David Shaw is trying to join Chuck Taylor (1951-52) as the only coaches in school history to start 3-0 in their first two seasons.
PREDICTION: USC 27, Stanford 21