USC vs. Arizona Prediction, Game Preview

The USC Trojans (5-3) will spend homecoming weekend hosting the Arizona Wildcats (5-4). Check out the USC vs. Arizona prediction and game preview.

USC vs. Arizona Game Preview

Broadcast

Date: Saturday, November 7
Game Time: 10:30 ET
Network: ESPN

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Why You Need To Care

A pair of Pac-12 South teams heading in opposite directions converge on the Coliseum this weekend. On the one hand, USC has played well with Clay Helton as the interim head coach, beating Utah and Cal in the last two games. While the Trojans will need help in the form of Ute losses, they’ll remain in the South Division chase as long as they keep winning. Meanwhile, Arizona is circling the drain, capping a 2-4 start in Pac-12 play by being crushed last week by Washington, 49-3. The Cats are in danger of missing the postseason a year after capturing the division, and rumors are swirling that Rich Rodriguez could be a candidate for ACC openings.

Why Arizona Will Win

RichRod still knows offense. And USC is still vulnerable on defense, especially against the run. Stanford, Notre Dame and Cal averaged more than six yards a play against the Trojans this season. The Cats are capable of doing the same by grinding out yards with RB Jared Baker, injured Nick Wilson’s caddy, and mixing in the skill sets of quarterbacks Jerrard Randall and Anu Solomon. Before last weekend, Arizona had scored at least 38 points in three straight games.

Why USC Will Win

The Wildcats are in disarray, particularly on defense. Arizona is running out of stoppers, yielding an average of 40 points in six Pac-12 games. The Trojans, who’ve become more physical under Helton, will pummel the Cats with a barrage of running backs Tre Madden, Justin Davis and Ronald Jones. And if Arizona sells out to stop the run, it’ll have to contend with the accurate tosses of QB Cody Kessler.

Player Who Matters

When Kessler does drop back to pass, who will he be targeting now that hand surgery might sideline JuJu Smith-Schuster? Even if Smith-Schuster does suit up, Kessler might want to use the opportunity to begin spreading the ball around, since the passing game has been so one-dimensional. This will be a good spot to build the confidence of the younger kids, like sophomore Steven Mitchell and true freshman Deontay Burnett, who caught three balls for 82 yards on Saturday.

What’s Going To Happen?

Arizona might not be able to beat anyone in the Pac-12 these days, let alone a USC squad beginning to heat up. The Trojans will bury the Wildcats on the ground, running the ball at least 40 times to set up Kessler over the top. On defense, Troy will stifle and create turnovers against a unit that’s lost its identity and its most consistent weapon.