Stanford plans to stay focused on USC’s Leonard Williams

USC will attempt to snap Stanford’s 17-game home winning streak on Saturday in their Pac-12 Conference opener.

The game could be decided at the line of scrimmage.

Both teams feature linemen who are projected as first-round NFL draft picks -- Cardinal left tackle Andrus Peat and Trojans defensive end Leonard Williams.

Peat, 6 feet 7 and 316 pounds, is the only returning starter on Stanford’s offensive line. Though the Cardinal lacks starting experience, the other four linemen have seen significant time because of Stanford’s multipersonnel offense, which often utilizes more than five linemen.

And they might need more than five to contain Williams.

Stanford Coach David Shaw said playing against Williams requires game planning and that his team will know where the 6-foot-5, 300-pound defensive end is every play.

Williams was limited in practice this week because of an ankle injury, but is expected to play Saturday.

With Stanford focused on Williams, it leaves room for defensive linemen Antwaun Woods, Claude Pelon and Delvon Simmons to have breakout performances for the Trojans.

USC Coach Steve Sarkisian said both Pelon and Simmons left room for improvement with “alignment, assignment and effort,” after their debut against Fresno State.

Questions about USC? Email me at LNThiry@gmail.com or tweet @LindseyThiry and I will answer questions in a weekly USC Now mailbag.