Southern California @ Colorado preview
Folsom Field
Last Meeting ( Oct 18, 2014 ) Colorado 28, Southern California 56
USC was counted out by many after falling to 3-3 last month, but three straight wins have the Trojans in the thick of the chase for the Pac-12 South title. USC continues that quest in a rare Friday night game, visiting Colorado to open a two-game road swing.
The Trojans found themselves in a 14-0 hole early in the second quarter last Saturday against visiting Arizona but outscored the Wildcats 38-16 the rest of the way to remain a game behind Utah in the South standings. "This team, no matter what happens, no matter what's coming, they keep fighting back," USC quarterback Cody Kessler told reporters. "We know how to handle adversity." Colorado is facing its own adversity, dropping two straight against ranked foes UCLA (35-31) and Stanford (42-10) following a 17-13 win at Oregon State on Oct. 24 that snapped a 14-game Pac-12 skid. "There is a sense of urgency for us to make sure we get some more wins, there’s no doubt, " Colorado coach Mike MacIntyre said at his weekly Tuesday news conference. "There is also a sense of urgency by the seniors, especially with our last home game being now."
TV: 9 p.m. ET, ESPN2. LINE: USC -16
ABOUT USC (6-3, 4-2 Pac-12): The Trojans are 3-1 under interim coach Clay Helton, thanks largely to Kessler who has completed 70.9 percent of his passes with three TDs and no interceptions during the team’s current three-game run. Tailback Ronald Jones II also provided a huge boost against Arizona, rushing for a school freshman-record 177 yards on 19 carries and likely has earned himself extra touches with fellow tailback Tre Madden battling a lingering knee issue. Defensively, USC is led by freshman linebacker Cameron Smith (72 total tackles, three interceptions) and is ranked fourth in the Pac-12 in both scoring defense (22.6 points allowed per game) and total defense (397.1 yards).
ABOUT COLORADO (4-6, 1-5): The Buffs will be attempting to bounce back from the 32-point home drubbing by the seventh-ranked Cardinal – Colorado's most lopsided loss of the season – in which they were outgained 472-231, including 275-83 on the ground. Quarterback Sefo Liufau led the team with 43 rushing yards in the game but also finished with a season-low 125 passing yards and has been intercepted three times with no TD passes the last two weeks. Despite having surrendered 35 or more points in all five of their Pac-12 losses, the Buffs rank in the top half of the conference in season scoring defense (28.3 points) and passing defense (219.3 yards).
EXTRA POINTS
1. USC has won all nine meetings against Colorado, including a 56-28 homecoming win last season in which Kessler threw for a school record-matching seven TDs.
2. Liufau needs 107 passing yards to eclipse Cody Hawkins (7,409) and become the Buffs’ all-time leader.
3. The Trojans own a Pac-12-best plus-10 turnover differential, having lost the ball a conference-low eight times.
PREDICTION: USC 35, Colorado 24