USC SCOUTING REPORT: USC (3-6,1-5) vs. Washington State (2-7, 1-5)

* Time: 4 p.m. PST.

* Site: Martin Stadium, Pullman, Wash.

* TV: Channel 7.

* Radio: XTRA (690).

* The offenses: USC’s offensive output has dwindled to a total of 23 points over the last two games--partly because of seven turnovers the last two weeks and 11 over the last three. John Fox will start at quarterback for the second consecutive week as USC searches for a sustained offense. Tailback Chad Morton needs 203 yards over the next three games to become only the third USC running back in the 1990s to reach 1,000 yards. Washington State has scored more than 24 points only twice all season--in a 31-7 victory over Cal and a 44-0 victory over Louisiana Lafayette. Steve Birnbaum is an adequate quarterback, freshman Deon Burnett is a promising running back, and Nian Taylor is the last of the Fab Five receivers from the Rose Bowl season two years ago.

* The defenses: USC’s defensive statistics have suffered because of turnovers as well, with opponents scoring a touchdown as the result of a turnover in each of the last three games--twice on interception returns for touchdowns and once when an interception was returned to the one-yard line. The Trojans’ defensive line doesn’t get enough credit, having played a key role in holding teams to 135 yards rushing. Washington State has had a couple of defensive collapses this season--one in a 54-17 loss to Stanford and the other in last week’s 52-10 loss to Oregon.

* Key to the game: Turnovers. USC has squandered its own scoring chances and handed touchdowns to the other team with 16 of them during the five-game losing streak--11 of them in the last three games.

* Fast fact: USC has won 26 of its last 28 games against Washington State.

* Line: USC by 8 1/2.

HOW THEY COMPARE

USC: WASHINGTON STATE

28.3 Scoring 20.4

24.9 Points allowed 28.7

291.3 Passing offense 232.7

112.9 Rushing offense 104.7

404.2 Total offense 337.3

239.1 Passing defense 219.8

135.0 Rushing defense 164.6

374.1 Total defense 384.3