Do They Have Drive to Finish?

The defenses that USC has faced so far have been fairly consistent in how they have attempted to contain the Trojans’ speed.

They have played two-deep zones to keep Carson Palmer from throwing long to his fastest receivers, Kareem Kelly, Marcell Allmond and Keary Colbert. They have tried to force tailback Sultan McCullough to run between the tackles.

“We would all like to see an explosion on offense and I think that’s coming,” offensive coordinator Hue Jackson said. “But we have to be patient.”

The game against Colorado was particularly frustrating with otherwise successful drives ending in two missed field goals and an interception in the end zone.

“When you have opportunities, you’ve got to slam the door,” Jackson said. “We’re going to try to do that this week.”

*

If the Trojans get within a yard or two of the end zone, look for a slight change in their “tank” formation.

That’s the goal-line offense in which right tackle Faaesea Mailo shifts to fullback. Previously, freshman Joe McGuire took his place on the offensive line.

But with McGuire suffering from a back injury and likely to redshirt, Mailo’s spot will be filled by either Jacob Rogers or Nate Steinbacher.

*

For San Jose State Coach Dave Baldwin, today’s game is a trip home. In addition to coaching for two seasons at Cal State Northridge, Baldwin grew up in the San Fernando Valley and was a USC fan as a boy.

“I had a signed photo of Mike Garrett and always wanted to be a tailback,” he said.

Only one thing got in his way.

“I was one of those slow guys,” he said.

*

* Time: 3:30 p.m.

* Site: Coliseum

* Records: San Jose State 2-1, USC 2-0.

* TV: Fox Sports Net West 2.

* Radio: XTRA (690).

* When USC has the ball: For the first time this season, the Trojans are close to having a healthy group of tailbacks. Sultan McCullough is recovering from flu and Petros Papadakis finally appears recovered from last season’s foot surgery. Malaefou MacKenzie, bothered because of an ankle sprain, looked stronger in practice this week. The trio could get even healthier against a defense that has surrendered 336 rushing yards a game. San Jose State Coach Dave Baldwin predicts: “USC is going to pound the ball at us.” The Trojans would also like to continue the success they had through the air against Colorado, when Carson Palmer completed 83% of his passes for 275 yards and a touchdown. But the Spartans have been tougher against the pass, with five interceptions in three games.

* When San Jose State has the ball: This season, the Spartan offense has relied on Deonce Whitaker, who ranks third in the nation and averages a gaudy 9.6 yards a carry. “Our No. 1 thing is not to let him get off to an early start,” USC linebacker Markus Steele said. “If we can shut him down, maybe that will take the rest of the team down with him.” It would certainly put more pressure on sophomore quarterback Marcus Arroyo, who is still finding his way. Look for USC to throw a variety of defenses at him. “You’ve got to change it up because this is a quarterback that doesn’t have a lot of experience,” Coach Paul Hackett said. USC might have an experience problem too--if veteran cornerback Kris Richard is not recovered from a sprained knee, the secondary must rely on younger players such as Darrell Rideaux, Chris Cash and Kevin Arbet.

* Key to the game: If USC can shut down Whitaker in the early going, or keep him off the field with a ball-control offense, the Trojans have a chance to match the point spread. But Hackett doesn’t expect San Jose State to wilt or be awed by playing in the Coliseum. “They’ve already been to Nebraska with all that red around them,” he said.

* Fast fact: USC plays its 500th game in the Coliseum today. The Trojans have a .742 winning percentage--357-115-27--dating to 1923. One of those victories came against San Jose State, 45-7, in 1995.

* Line: USC by 23.

HOW THEY COMPARE

USC and San Jose State

23.0 Scoring 33.3

9.5 Points allowed 27.6

181.0 Passing 215.7

161.0 Rushing 225.3

342.0 Total offense 441.0

183.5 Passing defense 183.3

71.5 Rushing defense 336.0

255.0 Total defense 519.3