Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum at 4:30 p.m. PT on FOX
Bulldog to Watch: Senior FS Derron Smith
For the first time in nearly 100 years, the Trojans are facing the same opponent in back-to-back games, but this version of Fresno State will look different than the high octane outfit led by Derek Carr in last year's Las Vegas Bowl. The 2014 Bulldogs feature a hard-nosed defense with Smith (pictured) running air traffic control. He enters the season as the national leader in career interceptions (14), and he is the preseason Mountain West Defensive Player of the Year.Click here for more on the Bulldogs.
3 Keys
Tunnel Vision
USC had a nearly silent Fall Camp until all of the sudden game week sprung a pair of controversies. Unfortunately, most of these Trojans are all too used to dealing with adversity and turmoil. But on the flip side, they are pros at blocking out the noise and focusing on the game. If the Trojans concentrate on the task at hand, they should have the talent advantage to open the Steve Sarkisian era with a victory.
The Big Five
While Fall Camp revealed many answers, the offensive line is still a work in progress particularly on the right side. LT Chad Wheeler and C Max Tuerk are the veteran stalwarts and freshman LG Toa Lobendahn appears wise beyond his years, but the right side will feature a rotating cast of characters including RG candidates Damien Mama, Khaliel Rodgers and Viane Talamaivao, and RT options Zach Banner, Aundrey Walker and Nathan Guertler. While Fresno State is a worthy challenger, Stanford's renowned physicality is on the horizon, so the Trojans will want to be a solid fist on "The Farm."
Growing Up Fast
Sarkisian estimated that he will play 10-11 freshmen this season with the hopes of redshirting the rest. Plus, several redshirt freshmen and transfers will make their Coliseum debuts on Saturday. The young Trojans have no time to be awed by the bright lights in the big stadium. On a more veteran team, freshmen like JuJu Smith, Ajene Harris and Adoree' Jackson would be luxury items brought along over time, but these talented teens need to be ready to go from Jump Street.
