Aloha Stadium at 8 p.m. PT (5 p.m. Hawaii time) on CBS Sports Network
Warrior to Watch: Junior QB Taylor Graham
The Ohio State transfer was a big time prospect coming out of Illinois in 2010. He is the son of former NFL QB Kent Graham, so he comes from good stock. At 6-foot-5 and 235 pounds, Graham is a prospect that Norm Chow can build around, but he will be making his first college start against the Trojans.Click the link for more on the Rainbow Warriors: G1 USC4.pdf
3 Keys
Adjust to the Lights
New defensive coordinator Clancy Pendergast has said all week that he is looking to see if any of his young charges get that "deer in the headlights look" on the big stage. The spotlight will be on Su'a Cravens, who will be the first true freshman to start the season opener at safety for USC since Darnell Bing, and classmates RB Justin Davis and WR Darreus Rogers, who will be heavily featured even if they do not technically start. Others, like LT Chad Wheeler, CB Kevon Seymour and RB Tre Madden (new position), will get their first real tests as well.
Throw for Throw
The quarterback competition is being extended into the season, and while that may not be an ideal scenario, both Cody Kessler and Max Wittek could benefit. Instead of dealing with the pressures of filling Matt Barkley's shoes, Kessler and Wittek are focused on pushing each other and taking that coveted spot. Lane Kiffin's focus this year is on turnover margin, so whichever quarterback protects the ball better will win the head coach's affection.
Pick a Team
What is the identity of the 2013 USC Trojans? At this stage, nobody really knows the answer to that question. Will the running game return to complement the play-action pass? Is the new 5-2 defense going to harass quarterbacks and force turnovers? The Trojans will start finding out their strengths and weaknesses tonight, so when the competition improves, they will be ready to attack with confidence.
USC opened the 2012 season with a blowout victory over Hawaii in the Coliseum.
