Stanford Cardinal (9-3, 7-2) vs. USC Trojans (10-2, 8-1)
The Cardinal and Trojans will have a rematch from USC's 42-24 win back in the second week in September. Here is my breakdown on what to expect:
Stanford Wins If They Control Tempo On Offense
By controlling tempo, they have to get Bryce Love active in all parts of the offense early on, as both a back and a receiver. He is their greatest weapon, and they have to use him as such.
KJ Costello will have to be nearly perfect in this game. He does not have to be a superstar, but he has to manage this football game, and manage turnovers. JJ Arcega -Whiteside will have to have his most efficient game as a receiver, while Kaden Smith and Dalton Schultz will have to work the underneath in Stanford's vaunted double TE formations.
Stanford Wins If They Slow Down Ronald Jones II, and Keep Darnold From Extending Plays
Harrison Phillips will need to have his biggest game yet, as he comes off his best game of the year against Notre Dame. Phillips leads the Cardinal with 16 TFLs, and will have to get disruptive up front to stop gaps from opening up for Jones, and he has to provide edge pressure to contain Darnold, as he crushed UCLA by working with his feet to make big plays once the pocket collapsed.
Stanford also has to be able to be disruptive in the passing game, and are not exactly adept at knocking down passes, with fewer than 25 PBUs this season. That average has to increase this week.
USC Wins If They Neutralize Phillips, Open Holes For Jones, Get Darnold Too Much Time
Neutralizing Phillips up front will be key, because he is the most disruptive player Stanford has up front. If they can isolate him out of the play, and open up holes elsewhere, the Trojans will be in good shape.
Jones has been a major surprise, and has been an unsung star for the Trojans at times. If he gets loose early, and Stanford has to crawl up defensively to get at him, Darnold can then be set loose to do his damage.
For Darnold, he made big play after big play when needed against UCLA, because he was aloud to get out of the pocket and direct traffic to make the big play happen. If he has enough time to roll around and redirect, or if he is allowed to escape pressure, and Stanford fails in contain, USC will get the win.
USC Wins If They Gum Up Love and Force Costello To Win Game
KJ Costello is not a gunslinger, and Stanford cannot have him in that role. If Love fails to get on track in this game, that could mean huge problems for Stanford early on.
Key Offensive Players Stanford: RB Bryce Love, QB KJ Costello, TE Kaden Smith, TE Dalton Schultz, WR JJ Arcega-Whiteside
Key Defensive Players Stanford: DE Harrison Phillips, DB Justin Reid, LB Bobby Okereke, DB Quentin Meeks, LB Peter Kalambayi
Key Offensive Players USC: QB Sam Darnold, RB Robert Jones II, WR Deontay Burnett
Key Defensive Players: USC: DL Christian Recker, Dl Rasheem Green, LB Cameron Smith, LB Uchenna Nwosu, DL Josh Fatu, DB Iman Marshall, DB Jack Jones, DB Isaiah Langley
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