Arizona State @ Southern California preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 24, 2011 ) Southern California 22, Arizona State 43

Southern California’s national championship hopes are a distant memory, but the No. 22 Trojans could still find themselves in the Pac-12 title game with wins over Arizona State and UCLA. The final stretch begins Saturday against the Sun Devils, who have lost three in a row after a surprising 5-1 start. Southern California's defense was non-existent last week against Oregon, allowing a school-record 730 yards in a 62-51 defeat that wasn't as close as the score indicates. After watching the Ducks’ Kenjon Barner rush for 321 yards and five touchdowns against the Trojans, Arizona State may rely heavily on running backs D.J. Foster, Cameron Marshall and Marion Grice. A strong run game might also slow down the powerful Trojans’ offense, which averages 36.8 points per game. The Sun Devils are seeking their first win against Southern California in Los Angeles since 1999.

TV: 3:30 p.m. ET, Pac-12 Network. LINE: Southern California -9

ABOUT ARIZONA STATE (5-4, 3-3 Pac-12): The Sun Devils lead the conference in pass defense while allowing only 161.6 yards per game, while Southern California leads the Pac-12 in passing efficiency. Defensive tackle Will Sutton leads the Pac-12 in sacks (9.5) and tackles for loss with 15. On offense, dual-threat quarterback Taylor Kelly has thrown four interceptions in his last three games, but is still ranked third in the Pac-12 in passing efficiency. Grice, Marshall and Foster have accounted for 26 of the team’s 39 total offensive touchdowns, and Grice leads the team with 13 (six rushing, seven receiving).

ABOUT SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA (6-3, 4-3): The Trojans have lost two straight games, but their offense hasn’t been the problem. Marqise Lee has 877 all-purpose yards over the last two games, and leads the Pac-12 in several categories, including receptions, receiving yards and kickoff returns. Quarterback Matt Barkley has thrown for 977 yards over the last two games, and his 30 touchdown passes are tied for second in the nation. Safety T.J. McDonald has a team-high 76 tackles for the embattled defense, which allowed 101 points and 1,318 yards of offense in the Trojans' last two games against Arizona and Oregon.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Arizona State snapped a streak of 11 straight losses to Southern California last year in Tempe with a 43-22 rout over the Trojans.

2. Southern California is one win away from the 800th victory in school history.

3. The Sun Devils have shut out six teams in the fourth quarter this season and outscored opponents 102-24 in the period.

PREDICTION: Southern California 42, Arizona State 24