heres a rundown for usc game, keeping it in the pac-10 thread 
heres a rundown for usc game, keeping it in the pac-10 thread
College Football Game of the Week
By ZEV MINES, SportsLine/AOL staff
Southern California and Washington State battle for more than just a Rose Bowl appearance in this Pac-10 showdown. One team will leave the L.A. Coliseum with just one loss, putting them in the driver seat for the national title game should Oklahoma or Miami slip. The loser will most likely miss out on a BCS bowl berth. Check out the breakdown below and tell us what you think of our analysis:
Complete Top 25 Previews
Southern California (7-1, 3-1 Pac-10) at
Washington State (7-1, 4-0 Pac-10)
Saturday, 7PM ET in Los Angeles, California
In the Polls
Trojans
Cougars
AP Poll
3
6
Coaches Poll
3
6
BCS Standings
4
8
Statistical Averages
Trojans
Cougars
Rush Offense
160.5
119.0
Pass Offense
283.6
295.0
Overall Offense
444.1
414.0
Rush Defense
79.9
67.6
Pass Defense
257.8
235.6
Overall Defense
337.7
303.2
When the Trojans Have the Ball
Sophomore quarterback Matt Leinart has more than adequately replaced Heisman Trophy winner Carson Palmer, guiding the USC offense to 39.9 points per game (No. 8 in the nation). In his last four games, Leinart has thrown for 1,251 yards and 13 TDs with just one interception.
It's not surprising then, that in his worst game, the Trojans suffered their lone defeat thus far. Leinart threw three INTs in a 34-31 overtime loss to Cal, but the lack of a rushing attack did little to help his cause. The Trojans have four backs that bring different dimensions to the field and can be frustrating for defenses. Against the Bears, however, the quartet combined for 99 yards and might have more difficulty against the Cougars.
Washington State is ranked third nationally against the run, allowing just 67.6 yards on the ground per game. They lead the conference in takeaways and will need to disrupt Leinart and the passing game if they want to beat USC for the third straight year.
Edge: Southern California
When the Cougars Have the Ball
Quarterback Matt Kegel had a game to forget last week against Oregon State. He was responsible for all seven of Washington State's turnovers (five interceptions and two fumbles), yet the Cougars still pulled out a win. Kegel had just four INTs in his previous seven games.
He's tossed 16 touchdowns on the season and has one of the nation's top wide receivers in Devard Darling (31 catches, 575 yards and four TDs). The rushing attack led by Jonathan Smith (515 yards, five TDs) might have difficulty against the USC defense, which ranks ninth in the nation in rush defense.
The Trojans have a highly touted defensive line led by Kenechi Udeze (8.5 sacks), which allows for DBs like Will Poole to make plays in the secondary. A Kegel performance like last week won't get it done against this defense. Edge: Even
Special Teams
Drew Dunning hit two 35-yard field goals (one in the fourth quarter and one in overtime) in the Cougars' 30-27 win over Southern Cal last season. The senior has proven to be clutch and is second in the nation with 19 field goals in 2003. The Trojans' Ryan Killeen has also kicked well, converting 13 of 17 field goals.
Trojans punter Tom Malone and Cougars punter Kyle Basler usually pin their opponents deep, while Sammy Moore averages 29 yards per kickoff return (No. 6 in the nation) for Washington State. He has returned one kick for a touchdown. Edge: Washington State
Intangibles
Home-field advantage usually would give a team the edge, but the Cougars have won at the Coliseum on their last two trips there. They have proven they're not afraid to play anywhere and are riding a seven-game road win streak. Southern Cal, however, counters with 12 straight victories at home.
Something's got to give and this one will come down to the quarterback that makes the least amount of mistakes. Edge: Even
Prediction
Leinart has played beyond his years for Southern Cal, and the sophomore has the Trojans primed to hold off the tough Cougars at home. Southern California 31, Washington State 26
