USC (6-3, 4-2) at STANFORD (1-7, 0-5)

* Kickoff: 3:30 p.m. Saturday at Stanford Stadium, Channel 9.

* Story line: Though the victory over Washington last weekend was a mini-watershed moment, vaulting the Trojans’ bowl prospects and beginning Carson Palmer’s era as the full-time quarterback, a loss to the talented but frustrated Cardinal would immediately destabilize everything all over again.

* USC update: With next week’s bye preceding huge impact games against UCLA on Nov. 21 and Notre Dame on Nov. 28, the Trojans can set themselves up for a meaningful late push with a victory. Coach Paul Hackett is counting on his defense to hold up and wants to see consistency out of his freshman quarterback and more production out of receiver R. Jay Soward.

* Stanford update: The Cardinal played its best game and came within a timely UCLA defensive play at the goal line from making its season last weekend. Receiver Troy Walters, slowed because of an ankle injury earlier, is back at top speed: He roasted the Bruin defense with 10 catches and 192 yards. Stanford’s defense, which looked better against UCLA, is the worst-rated in the conference and has given up an average of 37.5 points and 475 yards a game.

* Edge to USC: The Trojans’ pass defense, which leads the conference with 17 interceptions, should stand up far better than UCLA’s did against Stanford’s one-dimensional offense.

* Line: USC by 10 1/2.