Preview: #14 USC vs. #13 Stanford
Date: 9/6/2014
Time: 3:30 PM ET
Television: ABC (National)
Spread: Stanford -3
Players to Watch
Cody Kessler, Quarterback (USC)
Kessler started 2014 right where he ended the 2013 season: dominating Fresno State, throwing for 394 yards and four touchdowns last week against the Bulldogs. However, Kessler will have a much tougher challenge this week, against top-notch cornerbacks Alex Carter and Wayne Lyons.
Leonard Williams, Defensive Line (USC)
Stanford likes to run the ball and fill the field with big linemen. Williams will need to be disruptive and draw double teams to give the Trojan linebackers a chance to make plays.
Ty Montgomery, Wide Receiver (Stanford)
Montgomery showed he will be the primary playmaker for the Cardinal this season, racking up 159 total yards and two touchdowns, one receiving and one on a punt return, against UC-Davis last week. Montgomery will have some opportunities to make plays on Saturday, as the Trojans are missing top defensive back, Josh Shaw.
Alex Carter and Wayne Lyons, Cornerbacks (Stanford)
One of the top corner duo’s in college football, Carter and Lyons are physical players. They will have their hands full with USC’s receivers, like Nelson Agholor and true freshman John “JuJu” Smith, who led the Trojans in receiving last week with 123 yards. If Carter and Lyons can slow down the Trojan passing attack, USC could be in for a rough game.
USC’s Offense vs Stanford’s Defense
The Trojans started the season hot offensively, showing off their ability to run and pass at will, and took the opportunity against a weaker Fresno State team to infuse some youth, getting JuJu Smith and Adoree’ Jackson snaps at receiver, where Smith led the team in receiving with 123 yards.
On the flip side, this will be the first true test for the Cardinal defense, missing core players Josh Mauro, Trent Murphy, Shayne Skov, and Ed Reynolds. They still have their corner duo, as well as A.J. Tarpley, but their pass rush will be the key in this game. Will they be able to pressure Kessler into making poor decisions, allowing Lyons and Carter to make plays?
Stanford’s Offense vs USC’s Defense
Against UC-Davis, Stanford veered away from their typical, smash-mouth running game in favor of a passing attack, where key players Kevin Hogan and Ty Montgomery were able to make more of an impact. USC has a staunch front seven, with Leonard Williams and Hayes Pullard in the box, so Stanford may look to lean on the passing game once again.
For the Trojans to counter, the secondary will need to focus on Montgomery, and not letting him get open. The Cardinal do have other reliable passing threats, like Devon Cajuste and Austin Hooper, but shutting down Montgomery will limit what Hogen can do with the ball, forcing Stanford to stay on the ground.
Game Preview
Both teams are jumping from easy Week 1 victories to this tough conference matchup. USC has continued to build on the momentum they had from the end of the 2013 season and carried through National Signing Day, easily beating Fresno State. Stanford, meanwhile, dominated UC-Davis through a dominant passing attack.
However, both will need a strong running game to win this matchup.
USC has the more balanced offense early, using their running and passing game to complement each other. They will need to lean more on the run early and open up the field, as Stanford has a very good secondary, that was referenced earlier.
Stanford didn’t use the run as a huge focal point like they normally have in recent years, though much of that can be attributed to not having a feature running back. The leading rusher from last week, Barry Sanders, Jr., only carried the ball seven times, so he will need to get some more looks to wear down USC’s defensive line, and keep the athletic Trojan defense on their toes.
Implications (conference and/or national)
Stanford is in the same division as Oregon, and USC shares a division with UCLA. Whoever loses this matchup ends up in a position where they potentially have to win out in order to secure a bid in the Conference Championship, and seriously hinders their chances at qualifying for the inaugural College Football Playoff, although neither at this time is a serious contender for the playoff.
Final Prediction
USC- 17 vs. Stanford- 21