USC @ Arizona State preview

Last Meeting ( Oct 4, 2014 ) Arizona State 38, Southern California 34

While USC’s explosive offense has lived up to expectations, the Trojans’ defense is under the spotlight following last week’s 41-31 upset loss to Stanford. The 18th-ranked Trojans will need an improved effort Saturday at Arizona State, which has averaged 38.6 points in its last five meetings against USC and boasts a breakout star in sophomore running back Demario Richard.

The Sun Devils have won three of the last four contests against the Trojans, including last season’s 38-34 comeback victory that ended with Mike Bercovici’s 46-yard Hail Mary touchdown pass. Bercovici, a senior, has had mixed results early for the Sun Devils, who bounced back from a 38-17 season-opening loss to Texas A&M with wins over Cal Poly and New Mexico. The Trojans opened by routing Arkansas State and Idaho before allowing Stanford to record 474 total yards and dominate the time of possession battle. If the defense can slow down Arizona State, the Trojans should light up the scoreboard again behind senior quarterback Cody Kessler, who has thrown 10 touchdowns with no interceptions while completing nearly 79 percent of his passes.

TV: 10:30 p.m. ET, ESPN. LINE: USC -5

ABOUT USC (2-1, 0-1 Pac-12): Kessler, who has gone 101 passes without throwing an interception, will be tested by an Arizona State squad that leads the Pac-12 in pass defense and tackles for loss. The Trojans’ quick-strike offense is engineered by Kessler but also features a trio of top running backs in Tre Madden, Justin Davis and Ronald Jones II along with wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster, who is fifth in the nation with 144.7 receiving yards per game. Linebacker Su'a Cravens had a team-leading 13 tackles and a sack against Stanford, but the Trojans allowed 195 rushing yards and struggled to penetrate the Cardinal backfield.

ABOUT ARIZONA STATE (2-1, 0-0): The Sun Devils offense hasn’t been as polished as expected, but Richard has proven to be a dynamic weapon with 294 rushing yards and two touchdowns along with eight receptions for 178 yards and two more scores. “He is one of the hardest-working guys on our team," coach Todd Graham told reporters. “He wants to be great. He runs with an attitude and he runs through the tackles. He’s a competitor.” The secondary has played well but could be vulnerable at the free safety spot, where freshman safety Kareem Orr will make his second straight start in place of Armand Perry, who is out due to an ankle injury.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Arizona State is 18-4 at Sun Devil Stadium under Graham.

2. USC leads the all-time series 18-12 but seven of the losses have come in Tempe.

3. Bercovici is one of 37 Californians on Arizona State’s roster.

PREDICTION: USC 34, Arizona State 27