Primetime College Football: Huskies vs Trojans
This game goes down on the ESPN2 network and it features the University of Washington Huskies taking on the University of Southern California Trojans in Los Angeles.
Head coach Lane Kiffin has his Trojans undefeated at 4-0 and 1-0 overall in the Pac-10. He is going against Washington coach Steve Sarkisian whom he worked with for five years under former coach Pete Carroll. Kiffin became the first USC coach since Jess Hill in 1951 to start 4-0 in his first season. The Trojans are averaging 37 ppg this season as well as 468.5 total ypg. Much of the success on offense can be traced to sophomore quarterback Matt Barkley, 941 yards 12 touchdowns 4 INTs, who is completing 65.1 percent of his throws. His favorite target has been wide receiver Ronald Johnson, 249 yards 5 touchdowns, who is also dangerous on punt returns. The rushing attack is lead by junior running back Marc Tyler, 288 yards 3 touchdowns, who is averaging 5.6 ypc.
The Trojans defense is no where near is domination it used to display under Carroll’s tenure, giving up 21 ppg and 389.5 total ypg. The Trojans opponents have found success throwing on them with 282.2 ypg and scoring 8 touchdowns.
Sarkisian has his Huskies coming in at 1-2 for their first Pac-10 game of the season. Sarkisian helped recruit Barkley to Southern California but has his own quarterback in senior Jake Locker, 626 yards 6 touchdowns 2 INTs and 100 yards 2 touchdowns, completing just 51.1 percent of his throws. Junior wide receiver Jermaine Kearse, 338 yards 5 touchdowns, is Lockers favorite target. The Huskies are 70th in the nation at passing with just 209.7 ypg. The rushing game has been handed to sophomore Chris Polk, 264 yards 2 touchdowns, but that’s on a team that is only averaging 159.3 ypg on the ground good for only 60th in the nation.
The Huskies defense is ways away from being a legit contender in college football as they have given up 33 ppg and 425.7 total ypg. The Huskies are allowing over 200 yards both on the ground and through the air as well as 5.4 yards per cary and 12.7 yards per pass.
Southern California owns a 49-27-4 advantage in the all-time series with Washington, but the Huskies beat the Trojans 16-13 last year in a game without Barkley.
PICK: University of Southern California Trojans



