USC vs. Stanford

Time: 3:30 p.m.

* Site: Stanford Stadium.

* Records: USC 6-3, 4-2; Stanford 1-7, 0-5.

* TV: Channel 9.

* Radio: XTRA (690).

* The offenses: The Trojans do not want to get drawn into an air battle with Stanford, which can minimize its glaring weaknesses by discombobulating defenders with wild, constantly changing formations and premier weapons such as receiver Troy Walters. But, at least to start the game, USC will be without its best runner, Chad Morton, who has a sore ankle. Petros Papadakis will replace him, and if the Trojans can sustain a running attack, Carson Palmer won’t have to worry about a Cade McNown-style rally in the fourth quarter. Stanford quarterback Todd Husak is projected to throw a conference-record 479 passes this season. Despite all that throwing, Stanford quarterbacks have been sacked only 15 times.

* The defenses: The Cardinal wants to keep this unit off the field as much as possible. Opponents average more than five yards a rush and more than nine yards a pass--devastating numbers. Stanford stayed in the game against high-powered UCLA by causing some turnovers, and letting its offense take control of the game. The USC defense, led by linebacker Chris Claiborne and cornerbacks Antuan Simmons and Daylon McCutcheon, is built to eat up pass-happy offenses--and did fine against Washington and Brock Huard, and Oregon and Akili Smith. If Husak struggles, the Trojan defense may see either Randy Fasani, a more physically gifted player, or Joe Borchard, who can run the option, or both.

* Key to the game: If USC’s defense can get to Husak early and make Stanford go backward, or turn the ball over, Palmer and the offense should have time to settle in, find R. Jay Soward (only four receptions in his last two games) and methodically start putting points on the board. But if Husak and Walters get hot, the Trojans may never cool them down--and Palmer and Papadakis might not be quite ready to answer, punch for punch.

* Fast fact: The Trojans have outscored opponents in the fourth quarter, 95-34, and Stanford has been outscored, 84-54.

* Line: USC by 10 1/2.

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HOW THEY COMPARE

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USC Stanford 29.6 Scoring 25.5 18.9 Points allowed 37.5 210.9 Passing 343.4 142.7 Rushing 84 353.6 Total offense 427.4 204.7 Passing defense 260.4 144.9 Rushing defense 214.8 349.6 Total defense 475.1

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