2018 Game 2: USC at Stanford
September 07, 2018 | Football, USC Ripsit Blog, Features
The Trojans and Cardinal meet for the 99th time.
No. 17 USC Trojans (1-0, 0-0) at No. 10 Stanford Cardinal (1-0, 0-0)
Stanford Stadium in Palo Alto, CA, at 5:30 p.m. on FOX
Cardinal to Watch: Senior RB Bryce Love
The 2017 Heisman runner-up made the surprise decision to return to Stanford for his senior season. He accomplished nearly everything possible as a junior despite a bad wheel, which hampered him in the Pac-12 Championship Game against the Trojans. Nevertheless, he totaled 285 yards and 2 TDs in the two USC games combined last year at an explosive 7.3 yards per carry. In the 2018 season opener, Love was bottled up by San Diego State to the tune of 29 yards on 18 carries, but all the attention in the box led to a massive day on the outside for WR JJ Arcega-Whiteside. Love is trying to show scouts that he can contribute as a receiver out of the backfield. He had 3 catches against the Aztecs after making only 6 receptions all of last season.
Click here for more on the Cardinal.
3 Keys
Basketball Game
Arcega-Whiteside is 6-foot-3. Stanford's top two tight ends, Kaden Smith and Colby Parkinson, are 6-foot-5 and 6-foot-7, respectively. If the Trojans commit bodies to stop the run, the defensive backs will be left in one-on-one matchups with the Cardinal's tall targets. Stanford QB K.J. Costello prefers to under throw his deep balls, so the big men get a chance to go up and make a play. USC CB Iman Marshall will have to live up to his nickname and play big as he will likely draw Arcega-Whiteside most of the night. The Trojans do have good size at safety with Marvell Tell III (6-foot-2) and Isaiah Pola-Mao (6-foot-4) ready to battle with the Cardinal's tight ends over the middle.
Hit First
USC played with the lead in both wins over Stanford last season. By setting the pace, the Trojans can keep Stanford from turning the game into a low possession slog like the Cardinal's last victory over USC in 2016. Plus, the early advantage will help relax the young Trojans in their first road game, especially true freshman QB JT Daniels.
The Telling Stat
Win the rushing battle. Win the game. If you're looking for a recent trend in this old rivalry, that's it. Stanford likes to run the ball effectively on first down to set up short third downs and grind out opponents. Yes, Costello gives them a more threatening passing game, but David Shaw's blueprint is still the same. On defense, the Trojans will have to win on first down, so they can let the pass rush loose on second and third downs. On the other side of the ball, USC founds its offensive rhythm in the second half of the opener by running power and then going deep off play-action. Expect the Trojans to hammer away early with their three-headed monster and then go vertical which is a strength of Daniels.
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Stanford Stadium in Palo Alto, CA, at 5:30 p.m. on FOX
Cardinal to Watch: Senior RB Bryce LoveThe 2017 Heisman runner-up made the surprise decision to return to Stanford for his senior season. He accomplished nearly everything possible as a junior despite a bad wheel, which hampered him in the Pac-12 Championship Game against the Trojans. Nevertheless, he totaled 285 yards and 2 TDs in the two USC games combined last year at an explosive 7.3 yards per carry. In the 2018 season opener, Love was bottled up by San Diego State to the tune of 29 yards on 18 carries, but all the attention in the box led to a massive day on the outside for WR JJ Arcega-Whiteside. Love is trying to show scouts that he can contribute as a receiver out of the backfield. He had 3 catches against the Aztecs after making only 6 receptions all of last season.
Click here for more on the Cardinal.
3 Keys
Basketball Game
Arcega-Whiteside is 6-foot-3. Stanford's top two tight ends, Kaden Smith and Colby Parkinson, are 6-foot-5 and 6-foot-7, respectively. If the Trojans commit bodies to stop the run, the defensive backs will be left in one-on-one matchups with the Cardinal's tall targets. Stanford QB K.J. Costello prefers to under throw his deep balls, so the big men get a chance to go up and make a play. USC CB Iman Marshall will have to live up to his nickname and play big as he will likely draw Arcega-Whiteside most of the night. The Trojans do have good size at safety with Marvell Tell III (6-foot-2) and Isaiah Pola-Mao (6-foot-4) ready to battle with the Cardinal's tight ends over the middle.
Hit First
USC played with the lead in both wins over Stanford last season. By setting the pace, the Trojans can keep Stanford from turning the game into a low possession slog like the Cardinal's last victory over USC in 2016. Plus, the early advantage will help relax the young Trojans in their first road game, especially true freshman QB JT Daniels.
The Telling Stat
Win the rushing battle. Win the game. If you're looking for a recent trend in this old rivalry, that's it. Stanford likes to run the ball effectively on first down to set up short third downs and grind out opponents. Yes, Costello gives them a more threatening passing game, but David Shaw's blueprint is still the same. On defense, the Trojans will have to win on first down, so they can let the pass rush loose on second and third downs. On the other side of the ball, USC founds its offensive rhythm in the second half of the opener by running power and then going deep off play-action. Expect the Trojans to hammer away early with their three-headed monster and then go vertical which is a strength of Daniels.
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