Stanford-USC Preview Capsule
Stanford (1-1) at No. 6 USC (2-0), 8 p.m. (ABC)
Line: USC by 10.
Series Record: USC leads 61-29-3.
WHAT'S AT STAKE
The Pac-12 schedule begins for two California powers. Southern California looks to justify its preseason hype with its third straight victory over slow-starting Stanford, which hasn't been below .500 since 2008.
KEY MATCHUP
Stanford QB Kevin Hogan vs. CB Adoree Jackson. The Cardinal's fortunes hang on fifth-year senior Hogan, who went 22 of 30 for 285 yards in last season's narrow home loss to the Trojans. Opposing quarterbacks frequently don't even try to solve the problems created by Jackson and his redoubtable athleticism.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Stanford: RB Christian McCaffrey. The sophomore leads the Pac-12 with 168.5 all-purpose yards per game, topping the Cardinal in receptions and yards rushing while also returning punts and kickoffs.
USC: RB Ronald Jones II. The Trojans have another big playmaker in their seemingly limitless supply with the addition of Jones, an incredibly fast freshman from Texas with 169 yards rushing and two touchdowns already this season.
FACTS & FIGURES
USC won the schools' last two meetings with late field goals from the departed Andre Heidari, a four-year starter. USC fans stormed the Coliseum field after the 2013 victory. ... Last season's victory ended Stanford's 17-game home winning streak, but also included USC AD Pat Haden's memorable trip down to the field to yell at the officials. ... This series began in 1905. ... The Trojans haven't faced an unranked Stanford team since 2008. ... USC beat its first two opponents this season by a combined 99 points despite converting only four of 16 third downs. ... Hogan needs 249 yards of total offense to pass Jim Plunkett for fourth place in Stanford history.