University Southern California Trojans
2018 Game 5: USC at Arizona
September 28, 2018 | Football, USC Ripsit Blog, Features
The Trojans are in search of their first road win of the season.
USC Trojans (2-2, 1-1) vs. Arizona Wildcats (2-2, 1-0)
Arizona Stadium in Tucson, AZ, at 7:30 p.m. on ESPN2
Wildcat to Watch: Junior QB Khalil Tate
The Sports Illustrated cover boy is feeling the jinx in the season's first month, slowed by an ankle injury and new offensive system that has kept him from hitting top gear. After running for an absurd 1,207 yards in a six-game stretch last season, he has failed to run for 20 yards in any game this year. He has made big plays in the passing game, completing five throws of 50+ yards (no one in the conference has more). However, Arizona will only live up to preseason expectations if Tate, assuming he's healthy, gets back to being the dual threat that made him a Heisman candidate coming into 2018.
Click here for more on the Wildcats.
3 Keys
Defensive Playmaking
The USC defense has not recorded an interception through four games, and no Trojan besides Porter Gustin has a sack since the opener. While Tate may seem like someone who is tough to put pressure on, USC corralled him in the backfield five times last season. The Trojans have to remain disciplined in their rush lanes, so that the Arizona QB does not break contain, but if they are, he holds the ball much longer than last week's target, WSU QB Gardner Minshew. USC also picked Tate off twice in the Coliseum and once more when he started against them in Tucson as a freshman, so he will give the defensive backs a chance to make a play in this game.
Front Runners
USC is 117th in the nation in rushing offense, and while the offensive line's inconsistency has been tagged with a lion's share of the blame, it does not tell the whole story. The Trojans have spent most of the season playing from behind, which makes it much harder to stay patient with the running game. They ran for 75 yards on the opening drive last week but then got away from the run in the second and third quarters when they were forced to chase points. Finally in front, USC did close the game with some powerful ground work in the fourth quarter. Arizona's defense has been gashed by the run this season (102nd in the nation), so if the Trojans can play with a lead, they will feel more comfortable pounding the rock over 60 minutes.
Pivot Point
For the first time in two years, USC has a bye next week. If the Trojans win this game, confidence will be booming off back-to-back victories. If they don't, the search for answers will feel interminable. Arizona is in a similar situation, wondering if it has truly righted the ship after two rough performances to start the season. Also, as Clay Helton pointed out, Pac-12 South games count for double given the tiebreakers that often decide division championships. In short, there's a lot at stake on Saturday and it feels like a turning point in USC's season, one way or another.
Arizona Stadium in Tucson, AZ, at 7:30 p.m. on ESPN2
Wildcat to Watch: Junior QB Khalil TateThe Sports Illustrated cover boy is feeling the jinx in the season's first month, slowed by an ankle injury and new offensive system that has kept him from hitting top gear. After running for an absurd 1,207 yards in a six-game stretch last season, he has failed to run for 20 yards in any game this year. He has made big plays in the passing game, completing five throws of 50+ yards (no one in the conference has more). However, Arizona will only live up to preseason expectations if Tate, assuming he's healthy, gets back to being the dual threat that made him a Heisman candidate coming into 2018.
Click here for more on the Wildcats.
3 Keys
Defensive Playmaking
The USC defense has not recorded an interception through four games, and no Trojan besides Porter Gustin has a sack since the opener. While Tate may seem like someone who is tough to put pressure on, USC corralled him in the backfield five times last season. The Trojans have to remain disciplined in their rush lanes, so that the Arizona QB does not break contain, but if they are, he holds the ball much longer than last week's target, WSU QB Gardner Minshew. USC also picked Tate off twice in the Coliseum and once more when he started against them in Tucson as a freshman, so he will give the defensive backs a chance to make a play in this game.
Front Runners
USC is 117th in the nation in rushing offense, and while the offensive line's inconsistency has been tagged with a lion's share of the blame, it does not tell the whole story. The Trojans have spent most of the season playing from behind, which makes it much harder to stay patient with the running game. They ran for 75 yards on the opening drive last week but then got away from the run in the second and third quarters when they were forced to chase points. Finally in front, USC did close the game with some powerful ground work in the fourth quarter. Arizona's defense has been gashed by the run this season (102nd in the nation), so if the Trojans can play with a lead, they will feel more comfortable pounding the rock over 60 minutes.
Pivot Point
For the first time in two years, USC has a bye next week. If the Trojans win this game, confidence will be booming off back-to-back victories. If they don't, the search for answers will feel interminable. Arizona is in a similar situation, wondering if it has truly righted the ship after two rough performances to start the season. Also, as Clay Helton pointed out, Pac-12 South games count for double given the tiebreakers that often decide division championships. In short, there's a lot at stake on Saturday and it feels like a turning point in USC's season, one way or another.
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