GAME: Arizona Wildcats (2-4) Southern California Trojans (4-1)
DATE/TIME: Saturday, October 13 - 3:30 PM EST
SPREAD: Southern California -21 TOTAL: 56
Two weeks ago, Southern California had its sights set on a national championship. After a lackluster victory followed by a major upset loss, the storied program has fallen to its lowest ranking in more than four years.
The 7th-ranked Trojans look to fix the various mistakes from last week's defeat when they host Arizona on Saturday.
Southern California (4-1, 2-1 Pac-10) was a 41-point favorite over Stanford last Saturday, but allowed the Cardinal to score 17 fourth-quarter points en route to a 24-23 loss. The Trojans, who had fallen from No. 1 to No. 2 in the AP Top 25 after barely holding on for a 27-24 victory over underdog Washington on Sept 29, dropped eight spots further in the rankings.
For USC, which has finished in the top four in the AP Top 25 each of the last five seasons, this is the lowest standing in the poll since it was ranked 10th on Sept. 28, 2003.
"Our season's not over," USC defensive end
Lawrence Jackson said. "This loss is not devastating. We still have seven games left. We are still a good team with great coaches, even though we walked out of here with a loss. We need to find character and bounce back."
The Trojans, who had their 35-game home winning streak snapped, have not lost at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in consecutive weeks since Oct. 7-14, 2000.
USC racked up 459 offensive yards while allowing Stanford only 235, but committed eight penalties for 80 yards and had five turnovers - its most since turning the ball over six times in a win over Arizona State on Nov. 4, 2000. The Trojans forced just one Cardinal turnover, and have 14 turnovers to their opponents' seven on the season.
"I'm excited about trying to fix this thing. I take a lot of responsibility for it,' USC coach Pete Carroll said
"That's behind us, as far as we can control it. We'll direct our focus toward Arizona.'
The Trojans defeated the Wildcats 20-3 last season, and have outscored Arizona 197-67 during a five-game winning streak in the series.
However, they may have to take the field Saturday with redshirt sophomore
Mark Sanchez making his first career start at quarterback if
John David Booty cannot play.
Booty passed for 364 yards against the Cardinal, but broke a bone in the middle finger of his throwing hand in the second quarter and threw four interceptions after that. His final interception set up Stanford's game-winning touchdown with 49 seconds left in the fourth.
"It's clear in my mind and the offensive coaches that Mark's getting ready to play,' Carroll said. "I'm heading into the game believing that Mark's going to start and lead us to a victory.
"We're not sure what's going to happen with John David this week. It could turn out that if John David's OK, we might hold him in reserve.'
Meanwhile, Carroll expects starting tailback
Stafon Johnson to return for this game after missing the Stanford contest. Johnson has rushed for 378 yards and four TDs in four games, averaging 8.2 yards per carry - third-best in the nation.
Defensively, USC is allowing a league-low 269 yards per game, and yielded a season-low 154 yards - including minus-16 on the ground - in last year's win over Arizona.
The Wildcats (2-4, 1-2) also struggled on the ground in last Saturday's 31-16 loss to Oregon State, managing just nine net rushing yards and a season-low 231 yards of total offense.
Quarterback
Willie Tuitama entered the game leading the Pac-10 with 320 passing yards per game and 15 TD passes, but didn't throw for a touchdown against the Beavers. He was sacked a career-high eight times and threw three interceptions - one fewer than his total of four interceptions through the season's first five games.
In last season's loss to USC, Tuitama was 14-for-23 for 170 yards with one pick and was sacked five times.
"We look at USC as a hungry and mad team. We will look to establish something quick and you have to be ready to play, something we didn't do last week," Arizona coach Mike Stoops said. "It will be a difficult task, going over there and playing a good football team. They are still a great team."
The Wildcats have lost all three of their road games this season to fall to 6-21 away from Arizona Stadium since 2002.
