Hawaii @ Southern California preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 2, 2010 ) Southern California 49, Hawaii 36

Heisman Trophy favorite Matt Barkley and No. 3 USC begin their quest for a national championship when the Trojans open the season by hosting Hawaii on Saturday. Barkley opted against leaving a season early for the NFL to chase a title opportunity after the lifting of a two-year bowl ban. USC is loaded on offense but that didn’t stop the Trojans from adding Penn State standout running back Silas Redd, when NCAA sanctions in the wake of the Jerry Sandusky scandal presented the opportunity for Penn State players to transfer and be immediately eligible. The Trojans will see a familiar sight on the Hawaii sideline as former USC offensive coordinator Norm Chow makes his debut as coach of the Warriors. Chow is a head coach for the first time at age 66.

TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, Fox. LINE: USC -40

ABOUT HAWAII (2011: 6-7, 3-5 WAC): Junior QB Sean Schroeder, a transfer from Duke, won the starting quarterback job despite the fact he has never thrown a college pass. The Rainbows have two solid wideouts in junior wide receiver Billy Ray Stutzmann (78 receptions in 2011) and senior Jeremiah Ostrowski (65 receptions). Sophomore fullback Joey Iosefa (548 yards) is the top running threat. Hawaii’s top defensive players are junior strong-side linebacker Art Laurel (nine sacks last year), senior defensive end Paipai Falemalu (4.5 sacks) and junior safety John Hardy-Tuliau (three interceptions).

ABOUT USC (2011: 10-2, 7-2 Pac-12): Barkley passed for a school-record 39 touchdowns in a stellar junior campaign that included 3,528 passing yards. Both junior Robert Woods (111 receptions for 1,292 yards and 15 touchdowns) and sophomore Marqise Lee (73 catches, 1,143 yards, 11 scores) had 1,000-yard receiving seasons. Redd, a junior, rushed for 1,241 yards for Penn State last season and joins senior Curtis McNeal (1,005). Senior free safety T.J. McDonald (three interceptions) is the leader of the defense. Junior cornerback Nickell Robey (six career interceptions) is a top-notch cover corner and sophomore strong-side linebacker Dion Bailey and sophomore weak-side linebacker Hayes Pullard had strong freshman campaigns with 81 tackles apiece. The Trojans lost senior defensive end Devon Kennard (chest muscle) and the injury could be season-ending.

EXTRA POINTS

1. USC is 7-0 against Hawaii and notched a 49-36 victory in 2010 in the most-recent meeting.

2. The Trojans have won 14 consecutive season openers since falling to Florida State in 1997.

3. Hawaii is 1-12 all-time on the road against ranked foes with the only victory coming in 2008 against Fresno State.

PREDICTION: USC 58-17