While Southern California enjoys its first appearance in the Associated Press Top 10 poll, it must watch out for dark horse San Jose State. On paper, it’s all Trojans — ninth-ranked USC sports a 2-0 record against the 2-1 Spartans.
But San Jose State has everything in the making for an upset.
Following a 49-13 season-opening loss against top-ranked Nebraska, San Jose State rebounded with a 40-27 upset over cross-town rival Stanford. The Spartans fine tuned their offense last weekend with a 47-7 demolition of Southern Utah.
Leading the San Jose State attack is tailback Deonce Whiteaker. The senior is averaging 182.7 yards per game.
Countering for the Trojans is sophomore Sultan McCullough, younger brother of former Oregon tailback Saladin McCullough. The tailback is 22nd in the nation in yards per game with 109.5. In wins over Penn State and Colorado, McCullough led the Trojans in rushing and receiving.
USC coach Paul Hackett was cautious yet optimistic in a press conference Wednesday.
San Jose State “played at Nebraska and Stanford so they’re prepared to play on the road,” he said in a released statement. “They have the combination of a quarterback who can throw well in that three and four receiver offense, and a great running back to hand it off to. That means we’ll have to be well prepared for the game.”
“We face a tremendous opponent this week, but our players are improving and starting to learn the system,” Spartans coach Dave Baldwin said. “At this point, I like what I see. I like the camaraderie and attitude of this team.”
Also helping the USC cause is sophomore quarterback Carson Palmer, who threw for 275 yards with 83.3 percent accuracy against Colorado last weekend. Palmer returns to the Trojan lineup after an injury sustained against Oregon sidelined him last season.
Southern California place kicker David Newbury earned Pacific-10 Conference special teams Player of the Week honors after kicking the game-winning field goal last week against the Buffaloes.
The Trojans currently hold the longest winning streak in the Pac-10 at five games dating back to last season.
Southern California is hosting the 500th game ever played at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.