Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum at 7:30 p.m. on ESPN and WatchESPN
Beaver to Watch: Senior QB Sean Mannion
Assuming he stays healthy, Mannion will vault USC greats Carson Palmer and Matt Barkley to become the all-time Pac-12 passing leader in the next month. He broke the Pac-12 record for single season passing yards with 4,662 in 2013. Mannion is a prototypical pocket passer with an NFL future. He will stand tall, look over his line and deliver the football accurately, but he is no threat in the run game.Click here for more on the Beavers.
3 Keys
Crush the Pocket
Boston College QB Tyler Murphy sprung the upset over USC by breaking free with his legs for 191 yards rushing despite only throwing for 54 yards on 13 attempts. Mannion will likely have 13 passes under his belt by the end of the first quarter, but he has negative rush yards in every game this season. The Trojans forced Mannion into three interceptions last year by punishing the quarterback in the pocket. The USC pass rush will be unleashed Saturday, and the Trojans need to get home or Mannion will control the game with his arm.
1st and 10, 2nd and Manageable, 3rd and Extend
USC has converted 47.9% of its third downs, which ranks a respectable 34th in the nation. Unfortunately, the Trojans have been forced into too many third down situations because the offense has struggled on first and second down in the previous two games. Head coach and offensive play-caller Steve Sarkisian is putting the onus on 1st and 10 to setup more manageable and less predictable second and third downs. Meanwhile, QB Cody Kessler is focused on extending drives to enforce the Trojans high tempo and give the USC defense some rest.
Home to Heal
The BC loss left a bitter taste in USC mouths and the bye week let the pain linger longer than usual. The last time the Trojans played in the Coliseum, the atmosphere was overwhelmingly positive including a standing ovation after the first quarter. After nearly a month, USC returns home looking to rediscover its electricity under the Coliseum lights. If the Trojans can defend their home turf over the next two weeks, they will have a leg up on the Pac-12 South.
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