USC Out to Roll Over Sun Devils, Then Heal

USC can sense it, beckoning from just beyond the horizon.

The third-ranked Trojans have an open date next week, offering a rare midseason break and mending opportunity for a team that has been racked by injuries.

But before they can rest and begin preparing for the toughest part of their schedule, the Trojans must get past Arizona State today at the Coliseum.

“It’s a chance to finish off the first half, and that’s how we’re going about it,” Coach Pete Carroll said.

USC is 5-0 overall and 3-0 in the Pacific 10 Conference, but the Trojans hobble into the game against the Sun Devils after victories over Washington State and Washington, both of which came down to the final seconds.

Receivers Dwayne Jarrett and Steve Smith and starting guard Chilo Rachal all could play today, but they are among several USC players who are nursing injuries and looking forward to the off week and a chance to heal.

“It’s going to be nice to hopefully get a chance to get back to full strength, not just me personally, but for the whole team,” said Smith, who suffered a foot injury against Washington.

With the first Bowl Championship Series standings coming out Sunday, USC could be feeling a lot more pain if it slips against the Sun Devils.

Arizona State is a mystery of sorts. The Sun Devils started the season with victories over Northern Arizona, Nevada and Colorado, then were slammed while playing the toughest early schedule in the Pac-10.

California routed the Sun Devils at Berkeley, 49-21, and Oregon blasted them in Tempe, 48-13.

“When things are going well, it’s easy to build on that,” Coach Dirk Koetter said. “When you’re struggling, even getting a first down is tough sometimes. Mainly, our troubles can be traced to turnovers.”

Carroll sees it exactly the same way, though his concern centers on his defense’s recent inability to create turnovers.

The Trojans intercepted a desperation pass against Washington State but otherwise failed to get pressure on the quarterback, recover a fumble or pick off a pass in their last two games. USC has only seven sacks this season, and five of those came against Arizona on Sept. 23.

“When you’re hitting the quarterback, that’s always a traditionally great way to get the ball loose and all that,” Carroll said. “Those two things do go hand in hand in that regard, so hopefully we’ll get some heat.”

Arizona State’s quarterback situation has been a flash point all season.

At the conclusion of training camp, Koetter announced that senior Sam Keller would be the starter. But after a meeting with players, he reversed the decision and announced that sophomore Rudy Carpenter would start.

Keller, who helped stake the Sun Devils to an 18-point halftime lead against the Trojans last season, transferred to Nebraska and will have another shot at knocking off USC next season in Lincoln.

Meanwhile, Carpenter, who led the nation in passing efficiency last season, has struggled.

The former Newbury Park and Westlake High quarterback’s completion percentage has fallen every game, from 71% in the opener to 32% against Oregon, and he’s had seven passes intercepted in the last three games.

Carpenter got a chance to regroup last week because Arizona State had an open date. The Trojans expect him to return at the top of his game.

“You give Rudy Carpenter time, he’s one of those quarterbacks that can just sit back and pick you apart,” linebacker Brian Cushing said.

Alex Brink of Washington State and Isaiah Stanback of Washington did just that against a USC defense that ranks seventh in the conference in opponent third-down conversions.

Brink utilized quick drops to release the ball before he was hit. Stanback worked primarily out of a shotgun formation and took advantage of his scrambling ability.

Neither completed a pass longer than 28 yards, but both kept their teams on the move and kept the ball out of USC’s hands.

Carroll said the Trojans cannot allow Carpenter to find his groove.

“They’re just one game from getting back on track again,” Carroll said. “It just can’t be this week.”

gary.klein@latimes.com