Time to Switch to Game Mode

USC players will receive heavy doses of Arkansas information starting today as the Trojans begin game-week preparations for Saturday’s opener at Fayetteville, Ark.

USC coaches, who have been studying tape of the Razorbacks for months, do not expect a repeat of last season’s demolition at the Coliseum. The Trojans scored four touchdowns in 92 seconds of first-quarter possession en route to a 70-17 victory. USC finished with 736 yards of offense, the most ever surrendered by Arkansas.

Coach Pete Carroll said Arkansas resembles the Virginia Tech team the Trojans played in the 2004 opener.

“You couldn’t tell last year when we played them, but by the end of the year they played great defense,” Carroll said.

Arkansas, which finished 4-7 overall and 2-6 in the Southeastern Conference, gave up fewer than 20 points in each of its last four games.

But the Razorbacks still finished 34th nationally in total defense and gave up 342 yards a game. The Razorbacks were 54th in scoring defense (24.6 points per game).

Sophomore running back Darren McFadden, who averaged 101 yards rushing last season, injured his toe during a fight in July and had surgery. A pin was removed from the toe last week, and he was regarded as doubtful for the opener.

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Several USC starting positions will be determined this week, including tailback, middle linebacker and one of the cornerback spots.

Freshman tight end Anthony McCoy is listed behind juniors Fred Davis and Dale Thompson, but offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin said the 6-foot-5 McCoy was the biggest surprise of training camp and could emerge as a prominent player.

McCoy weighed 235 pounds when he was recruited as a receiver out of Fresno Bullard High, but he was up to a solid 265 by the start of training camp.

“He really was a receiver through summer, and we just talked about making the move to tight end,” Kiffin said. “We just came to the conclusion together: That’s where you’re going to end up and you can do it now and start learning the position.

“He looks like a potential big-time NFL guy.”