No. 15 Arizona St. at No. 1 USC

No. 15 Arizona St. (5-0, 2-0)

at No. 1 USC (5-0, 2-0)

Today, 12:30 p.m. at the Coliseum

TV: Channel 7. Radio: KMPC (1540)

WHEN USC HAS THE BALL

LenDale White rushed for 140 yards in 21 carries last year against Arizona State. The sophomore is expected to be a workhorse again today, especially with USC’s receiving corps thinned by Steve Smith’s broken leg. Arizona State Coach Dirk Koetter anticipates that USC offensive coordinator Norm Chow will try to compensate for Smith’s loss by expanding Reggie Bush’s multipurpose role. Tight ends Alex Holmes and Dominique Byrd also could be factors as quarterback Matt Leinart tries to move an offense that repeatedly stalled near the California end zone last week. Arizona State linebackers Dale Robinson, Justin Burks and Jamar Williams lead a unit ranked sixth nationally in pass-efficiency defense.

WHEN ARIZONA STATE HAS THE BALL

Quarterback Andrew Walter is capable of stretching the field against a Trojan secondary that did not give up a big play against Cal. Derek Hagan, Terry Richardson and tight end Zach Miller are Walter’s favorite targets. Junior tailback Hakim Hill averages 4.3 yards a carry. Senior defensive tackles Shaun Cody and Mike Patterson will lead USC’s push to pressure Walter. Darnell Bing, who sat out the Cal game because of a pinched nerve in his neck, will start at safety with Jason Leach, but USC lacks an experienced backup.

KEYS TO USC VICTORY

1. White’s will. White must soften up the Sun Devils so Bush and the receivers can exploit pass coverage.

2. Whack Walter. The front four must pressure Arizona State’s quarterback into taking sacks or making bad throws that could result in turnovers.

3. Killeen consistency. Kicker Ryan Killeen must continue to perform as he did last week when he booted six kickoffs for touchbacks and made all three field-goal tries.

HOW THEY COMPARE

*--* USC ARIZ. ST. 33.8 Scoring 34 13.6 Points allowed 12.8 237.4 Passing offense 274.2 168.2 Rushing offense 118 405.6 Total offense 392.2 206 Passing defense 205.8 100.6 Rushing defense 98.6 306.6 Total defense 304.4

*--*

-- Gary Klein