The dividing line between the weak and strong is steadily increasing as Pacific-10 Conference play plows into week three. This weekend No. 25 Oregon ventures to No. 17 Arizona State, Arizona takes on top-ranked USC, Stanford plays Washington State, No. 10 California travels to No. 20 UCLA and Oregon State and Washington have a chance to recuperate with a bye.
Arizona (1-3) vs. No. 1 USC (4-0)
After losing 28-0 last week to No. 10 California, Arizona heads to Southern California to take on the undefeated Trojans. Currently ranked No. 1, the Trojans have not lost a home game since September 2001. It is unlikely that Arizona will put a stop to the 22-game home winning streak at the L.A. Coliseum, but assuming they don’t turn the ball over, anything is possible in the Pac-10.
USC running back Reggie Bush, receiver Steve Smith and defending Heisman winner Matt Leinart have been a major force for the Trojans in most of their victories. The Trojans’ last two games have left them fighting to come back in the second half. They had an 18-point deficit at the half during Arizona State and 13-point deficit at in the first half against Oregon. This comeback tactic can be to the Wildcats’ advantage, that is if they don’t let the Trojans score points in the second half. Unfortunately for the Wildcats, USC’s head coach Pete Carroll has not left this weakness unattended to.
“We are looking at a conference game that is extremely important to us,” Carroll said. “It is a game we need in order to get back on track and balance our attack on the offensive side of the ball. We need to play better early on in the game and smooth that thing out. We are working hard to get that done. It is important that we correct problems and issues. I want to see some movement made in that direction. I want to put together a heck of a football game and get off to a good start back at home again.”
Stanford (1-2) vs. Washington State (3-1)
Stanford heads north to Pullman, Wash., to take on the Cougars and try to break their two-game losing streak in this key conference game. Last week Stanford lost to Oregon 44-20 while, Washington State lost to Oregon State 44-33. This loss was the Cougars’ first of the season, leaving them with a 3-1 record.
This game is crucial for both teams, so their level of play will definitely have to be kicked up a notch. Last year Stanford defeated Washington State 23-17.
Last week marked senior running back Jerome Harrison’s seventh straight 100-yard game for the Cougars. He rushed for a game high 124-yards and three touchdowns. If the Cardinal can stop Harrison, its odds of winning are likely to increase.
“They have an outstanding runner and their quarterback has put up big numbers,” Stanford head coach Walt Harris said. “They also have a couple of highly ranked receivers, so right now all those things scare us. It presents a big problem. We’re not scoring a lot of points on offense, so we’ve got to really slow them down on defense, get off the field on third down and make it happen.”
Arizona next to challenge USC’s streak
Daily Emerald
October 6, 2005
USC’s LenDale White, who is coming off a career-high 197 rushing yards, leads the top-ranked Trojans in search of their 27th consecutive win Saturday against Arizona. The game is at 12
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