2019 Game 2: USC vs. Stanford
September 06, 2019 | Football, USC Ripsit Blog, Features
Stanford is USC's oldest rival, dating back to 1905.
No. 23 Stanford Cardinal (1-0, 0-0) at USC Trojans (1-0, 0-0)
United Airlines Field at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum at 7:30 p.m. PT on ESPN
Cardinal to Watch: Junior QB Davis Mills
Just like USC, Stanford lost its starting quarterback to injury in the season opener. Unlike JT Daniels, KJ Costello is expected back this season, as early as next week, once he clears concussion protocol, but his absence opens the door for Davis Mills to make his first collegiate start. Mills was the No. 1 QB prospect in the country in 2017, so he has an impressive pedigree, but he had never completed a pass until last week (7/16 in his career). He is a traditional pro-style, pocket passer, cut in the mold of most of Stanford's recent quarterbacks at 6-foot-4 and 215 pounds.
Click here for more on the Cardinal.
3 Keys
The Other 10
All eyes will be on freshman QB Kedon Slovis, but the rest of the offense will determine how comfortable he looks on Saturday. Despite all the talk about the passing game this summer, USC was impressive on the ground against Fresno State, amassing 190 rushing yards between Vavae Malepeai and Stephen Carr. If the Cardinal have to commit extra players to stopping the run, Slovis will find the reads easier in the secondary, which will enable him to display his impressive arm talent and unlock USC's exceptional group of pass catchers. The Trojans offensive line controlled the game last week, allowing only one sack and just three negative plays, but Stanford poses a stiffer challenge. Like all USC-Stanford games, this one will be one up front.
Test the Fence
The same story is true on the other side of the football. Back in 2012, USC took the No. 2 team in the nation up to Palo Alto, and while the Trojans had a major advantage at quarterback (Matt Barkley vs. Josh Nunes), senior center Khaled Holmes was out with an injury. Stanford repeatedly targeted his true freshman backup and upset the Trojans by bludgeoning Barkley in a low scoring game. On Saturday, the Cardinal will be without All-Pac-12 left tackle Walker Little, and his replacement is a true freshman, Walter Rouse. USC defensive ends Christian Rector and Drake Jackson, who were both impressive in the opener, must go to work on the newcomer and see if he's up to the test.
Frontrunners
Stanford is Stanford. The names change but the strategy remains largely the same. While seemingly everyone else in the country is playing as fast as possible, the Cardinal want to limit possessions and grind the game to a halt. USC and Stanford have split the last four matchups with the Trojans averaging 36.5 points per game in victory and 6.5 points per game in defeat. Scoring early is the key to getting Stanford out of its shell and forcing the Cardinal to chase the Trojans.
United Airlines Field at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum at 7:30 p.m. PT on ESPN
Cardinal to Watch: Junior QB Davis MillsJust like USC, Stanford lost its starting quarterback to injury in the season opener. Unlike JT Daniels, KJ Costello is expected back this season, as early as next week, once he clears concussion protocol, but his absence opens the door for Davis Mills to make his first collegiate start. Mills was the No. 1 QB prospect in the country in 2017, so he has an impressive pedigree, but he had never completed a pass until last week (7/16 in his career). He is a traditional pro-style, pocket passer, cut in the mold of most of Stanford's recent quarterbacks at 6-foot-4 and 215 pounds.
Click here for more on the Cardinal.
3 Keys
The Other 10
All eyes will be on freshman QB Kedon Slovis, but the rest of the offense will determine how comfortable he looks on Saturday. Despite all the talk about the passing game this summer, USC was impressive on the ground against Fresno State, amassing 190 rushing yards between Vavae Malepeai and Stephen Carr. If the Cardinal have to commit extra players to stopping the run, Slovis will find the reads easier in the secondary, which will enable him to display his impressive arm talent and unlock USC's exceptional group of pass catchers. The Trojans offensive line controlled the game last week, allowing only one sack and just three negative plays, but Stanford poses a stiffer challenge. Like all USC-Stanford games, this one will be one up front.
Test the Fence
The same story is true on the other side of the football. Back in 2012, USC took the No. 2 team in the nation up to Palo Alto, and while the Trojans had a major advantage at quarterback (Matt Barkley vs. Josh Nunes), senior center Khaled Holmes was out with an injury. Stanford repeatedly targeted his true freshman backup and upset the Trojans by bludgeoning Barkley in a low scoring game. On Saturday, the Cardinal will be without All-Pac-12 left tackle Walker Little, and his replacement is a true freshman, Walter Rouse. USC defensive ends Christian Rector and Drake Jackson, who were both impressive in the opener, must go to work on the newcomer and see if he's up to the test.
Frontrunners
Stanford is Stanford. The names change but the strategy remains largely the same. While seemingly everyone else in the country is playing as fast as possible, the Cardinal want to limit possessions and grind the game to a halt. USC and Stanford have split the last four matchups with the Trojans averaging 36.5 points per game in victory and 6.5 points per game in defeat. Scoring early is the key to getting Stanford out of its shell and forcing the Cardinal to chase the Trojans.
Players Mentioned
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