| Southern Cal Looks To Rebound At Stanford |
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Wednesday, 01 November 2006
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The last seven times USC has lost, it has responded with a victory. The Trojans are still in control of their own destiny in the Pac-10 title race as they enter November, a month when sixth-year head coach Pete Carroll, the nation's most winning active coach has never lost a game going 16-0.
The Trojans have been playing nail biters lately, as its last 4 games have been decided by a touchdown or less. USC has also been a bad bet since the teams first two football games, covering at Arkansas in week one and at home against Nebraska in its second game. Since mid-September, the Men of Troy have gone 0-5 against the spread (ATS). In all five non-covers USC was a double-digit favorite. The Trojans have been installed almost a five-touchdown road favorite at –29 ½ points.
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Quarterback John David Booty, the Pac-10 leader in passing and total offense, directs a unit that is nationally ranked in passing, total and scoring offense categories. Wide receiver Steve Smith, an All-American candidate who is ninth on USC's career receiving list, is coming off a monster game (11 catches, 258 yards, 2 touchdowns) and ranks among the nation's leaders. He is joined by 2005 Biletnikoff Award finalist and All-American first team wide receiver Dwayne Jarrett, who is the Pac-10's career touchdown receptions leader. Tailback Chauncey Washington has gained control of USC's ground attack, running behind the likes of 2005 All-American offensive tackle Sam Baker and Rimington Award candidate center Ryan Kalil.
The young Trojan defense tops the Pac-10 in total defense and scoring defense and also is highly ranked nationally against the run. Troy's key defenders include linebackers Keith Rivers, Ray Maualuga (a 2006 Butkus Award semifinalist) and Dallas Sartz and defensive end Lawrence Jackson.
The Cardinal, have been hit hard by the injury bug, as 8 of its 10 returning starters on offense have missed some action including quarterback Trent Edwards and wide receiver Mark Bradford. T.C. Ostrander has replaced Edwards at quarterback.
Stanford has one of the league's top pass defenses and linebacker Michael Okwo is the Pac-10 tackle leader. Second-year Stanford head coach Walt Harris was Carroll's position coach at Pacific and also coached Carroll's oldest son, USC assistant Brennan Carroll, at Pittsburgh.
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| Last Updated ( Wednesday, 01 November 2006 ) | |||||||
No. 9 USC, in unfamiliar territory after having lost for just the third time in the last 54 games, will look to bounce back from its 2-point upset loss at Oregon State when it visits Stanford, its oldest current rival at newly refurbished Stanford Stadium in Palo Alto, Ca. The Trojans have won four in a row against the Cardinal.