USC (1-3 overall, 0-2
Pacific-10 Conference)
at Washington (3-0, 1-0)
Though Southern California has lost its last three contests, the Trojans are sure to give No. 11 Washington a close game. All three of the Trojan losses have come against teams currently ranked in the top-25, and all have been by a total margin of 11 points.
The Trojans lost to Kansas State (6-10), Oregon (22-24) and Stanford (16-21) and were victorious against San Jose State 21-10 on Sept. 1.
The Huskies have the longest current winning streak in the Pac-10 at eight straight conference wins and 11 overall. Washington is coming off wins against Michigan, Idaho and California, but quarterback Cody Pickett has yet to make a name for himself around the Pac-10.
In the 31-28 win over Cal, Pickett was 18 of 33 for 291 yards and two touchdowns.
“He made some really outstanding throws, and then a couple of throws I was surprised he missed,” Washington offensive coordinator Keith Gilbertson told The Seattle Times. “He overstrided a couple of throws, a couple of hitches he threw behind guys and there were a couple of outs he can throw better.”
The Huskies are leading the nation in kickoff returns at 34.8 yards per return, thanks to specialists Charles Frederick and Roc Alexander. Other players on the Washington squad that USC needs to watch are tailback Rich Alexis and wide receiver Paul Arnold.
USC’s Sultan McCullough has been limited to 103 total yards in his last three games, and the team is a distant last in the Pac-10 at 83.2 yards per game. Quarterback Carson Palmer’s arm is carrying the offensive load, averaging 265.2 yards per game.
“I know the fight and the heart is there because it’s obvious, but now we have to play better football or we will have a very difficult time against a tough Washington team,” said USC head coach Pete Carroll.
