HOW THEY MATCH UP

When USC has the ball: The offensive line led the way for tailback Sultan McCullough to gain 167 yards and score three touchdowns last week and will face an inexperienced front seven with Kansas State. But the Wildcats tend to crowd the line of scrimmage. “That’s how they play the run,” Coach Pete Carroll said. “They outnumber you.” Senior linebacker Ben Leber, who made 14 tackles for losses last season, will provide leadership. Meanwhile, the USC receivers could be left in man-to-man coverage much of the time. If they can get open early, that will force the defense to open up. The key matchup should be Kareem Kelly against cornerback Terence Newman, a couple of track team burners going head-to-head.

When Kansas State has the ball: Fullback Rock Cartwright is built like his name, standing only 5 feet 8 but weighing 242 pounds. “He cuts people down like crazy,” Carroll said. That load falls mainly on strong safety Troy Polamalu (210 pounds) and middle linebacker Mike Pollard (225 pounds). “Against a bigger man, you just have to be quicker with your technique and use your speed,” Pollard said. The Trojans will need every bit of that quickness keeping track of Kansas State’s mix of option and passing. The secondary must contend with Aaron Lockett, who averages 18 yards a reception.

Key to the game: Can USC control the line of scrimmage? Will Kansas State’s new quarterbacks--Ell Roberson and Marc Dunn--find a rhythm early? Those situations may take a backseat to special teams, where Kansas State was awfully good last season and USC was just plain awful. The Trojans appeared to have plugged a few gaps in last week’s victory over San Jose State. .

Fast fact: Kansas State has a 28-game winning streak against nonconference opponents.

The pick: Kansas State will have new faces in the lineup and even the veterans must shake off the rust in their opener. But this is a program that runs deep and players have experience with hostile crowds in places like Lincoln, Neb., and Norman, Okla. Edge: Wildcats.

The line: Kansas State by 3.