Southern California @ Washington State preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 26, 2009 ) Washington State 6, Southern California 27

USC begins Pac-10 play at Washington State Saturday in an unfamiliar position.

The Trojans are ineligible for the conference title they have won or shared seven of the last eight seasons and continue to feel the fallout after being hit with major NCAA sanctions this summer.

The last time the Trojans (3-0) visited Pullman, in 2008, they punished the Cougars 69-0. That ended the Cougars’ streak of 280 games without being shutout, then the second-longest in the country. The loss was the worst margin of defeat in Washington State history. The Trojans sent 11 players from that team to the 2009 NFL draft.

A lot has changed for USC since that rout. This year, the Trojans hired a new coach, Lane Kiffin, and a new athletic director, Pat Haden. In June the NCAA handed out sanctions for, among other things, improper benefits Reggie Bush received during his college career, which included a 2004 national title and 2005 Heisman trophy.

The Trojans got a two-year bowl ban, a loss of 30 scholarships over three years, and had to vacate victories from December 2004 through the 2005 season.

Luckily for the Trojans, not much has changed at Washington State. The Cougars (1-2) needed a furious rally to earn their only victory, 23-22 over Montana State of the FCS. They have lost 11 consecutive games to FBS teams and are more than three-touchdown underdogs at home.

The Trojans have not exactly lit the world on fire under Kiffin, who left Tennessee amid heavy criticism after just one season. They earned a 32-21 victory at Big Ten weakling Minnesota last Saturday but trailed 14-13 in the third quarter until a 97-yard kickoff return by Robert Woods for a touchdown.

Sophomore quarterback Matt Barkley is 55-for-84 for 651 yards, with nine touchdowns and two interceptions. Marc Tyler and Bradford lead a deep reservoir of tailbacks.

Washington State ranks last in the Pac-10 in points allowed, giving up an average of 40.7 points. The Cougars also are last in total defense (457 yards per game) and rushing offense (96.7 yards per game).

One edge the Cougars might have is in the passing game, where they rank 46th (233.3). USC is 110th in the NCAA in pass defense, allowing 291 yards per game.

Cougars sophomore Jeff Tuel has thrown for 700 yards, with five touchdowns and one interception. He has found a potent weapon in freshman Marquess Wilson, who is 23rd nationally with 93.7 receiving yards per game.

A victory over the Cougars would make Kiffin the first USC coach since Jess Hill in 1951 to start 4-0.