Washington @ Southern California preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 19, 2009 ) Southern California 13, Washington 16

Washington coach Steve Sarkisian and Southern Cal coach Lane Kiffin will put their friendship aside when their teams meet in an important Pac-10 game Saturday in Los Angeles. The two worked together as assistants for five years under Pete Carroll and have remained close.

Southern Cal (4-0, 1-0) has supplied some unexpected wrinkles this season and could have another in store this week. The Trojans opened with a no-huddle offense in last week's win over Washington State. This could be the week they turn loose Dillon Baxter, a highly recruited prospect who had a part in 79 touchdowns as a high school senior. Baxter was suspended for the opener and saw limited action against Virginia and Minnesota. He ran 14 times for 75 yards against Washington State and seems to be more accustomed to the speed of the game.

Southern Cal quarterback Matt Barkley ranks 14th in the nation in pass efficiency and has a pool of effective backs behind him: Marc Tyler (288 yards, three TDs), Allen Bradford (277 yard, one TD), C.J. Gable (87 yards) and Stanley Havli (87 yards, one TD). The Trojans are averaging a hefty 468.5 yards of total offense. Barkley has thrown for 941 yards and 12 touchdowns, with Ronald Johnson catching 20 passes for five scores.

Washington (1-2, 0-0) has been victimized by a poor defense that allows 33 points per game. The Huskies are giving up 213 yards on the ground and 212 through the air. Senior linebacker Mason Foster has been the bright spot; he leads the Pac-10 in tackles (39) and has two tackles for loss, one sack and three forced fumbles.

The Huskies have had no trouble scoring. Quarterback Jake Locker has thrown for 626 yards and six touchdowns, and running backs Chris Polk (264 yards, two TDs) and Jesse Callier (143 yards) are a potent combination. Wide receiver Jermaine Kearse has caught a conference-best 16 passes for 112.6 yards per game, with five touchdowns.

But it will be interesting to see whether Washington can move the ball against a USC defense that has been stout against the run. Tackle Jurrell Casey (25 tackles, two sacks), linebackers Malcolm Smith (27 tackles) and Devon Kennard (21 tackles, one sack) and safety T.J. McDonald (31 tackles, two interceptions) form the heart of a unit that allows only 3.4 yards per carry.

Over the past two decades, the rivalry between Washington and No. 20 Southern Cal has gotten more intense. That’s because the series, which USC had dominated since the first meeting in 1923, has become more competitive. Southern Cal holds a slim 9-8-1 edge in the last 18 meetings.