Schedule

* Saturday at Arkansas, Fayetteville, Ark. 5:45 p.m. PDT (ESPN)

Sixth-ranked USC is back in Arkansas for first time since 1974, when the fifth-ranked Trojans lost their opener, 22-7. Razorbacks eager to avenge last year’s 70-17 drubbing at Coliseum.

* Sept. 16 vs. Nebraska, Coliseum, 5 p.m. (Channel 7)

Improved Cornhuskers will try to end Trojans’ 27-game home winning streak. Unfortunately for Nebraska, transfer quarterback Sam Keller is not eligible

until 2007.

* Sept. 23 at Arizona, Tucson, Ariz., 5 p.m. (Channel 7)

Pac-10 opener on the road has been on Trojans’ radar ever since quarterback Willie Tuitama and the Wildcats walloped previously unbeaten UCLA last season at Tucson.

* Sept. 30 at Washington State, Pullman, Wash., time TBA

Cougars return plenty of offense but will be challenged to slow down the Trojans. Two years ago, USC rejoiced during a pregame hailstorm at Martin Stadium and won by 30 points.

* Oct. 7, vs. Washington, Coliseum, time TBA

The Huskies might be overmatched again, but Tyrone Willingham is the last opposing coach to win at the Coliseum. His Stanford team won, 21-16, on

Sept. 29, 2001.

* October 14 vs. Arizona State, Coliseum, 5 p.m. (Channel 7)

Sun Devils’ quarterback fiasco was not the smoothest way to start the season. Arizona State blew an 18-point lead against the Trojans last season at home.

* October 28 at Oregon State, Corvallis, Ore., time TBA

The Beavers need quarterback Matt Moore to cut down on mistakes: he had

19 passes intercepted last season. A fog-shrouded stadium, a la 2004, could help against the Trojans.

Nov. 4 at Stanford, Palo Alto, time TBA

* Stanford decreased the number of seats in rebuilt Stanford Stadium to 50,000, making for a tough ticket. Two years ago, USC overcame an 11-point halftime deficit to win, 31-28.

* Nov. 11 vs. Oregon, Coliseum, 7:15 p.m. (FSN West)

Much has changed since Oregon last visited the Coliseum in 2000. The Ducks won that game in front of about 54,000. Last season the Trojans averaged 90,812 at home.

* Nov. 18 vs. California, Coliseum, 5 p.m. (Channel 7)

USC waged a defensive stand to hold off Cal at the Coliseum in 2004. Look for more drama if Cal running back Marshawn Lynch stays healthy and Coach Jeff Tedford develops a quarterback.

Nov. 25 vs. Notre Dame, Coliseum, 5 p.m. (Channel 7)

* It will be hard to top last season’s epic game between these rivals. But

this one could make a push if Pete Carroll and Charlie Weis keep their

teams on track.

Dec. 2 at UCLA, Rose Bowl, 1:30 p.m. (Channel 7)

* The Trojans have defeated UCLA seven times in a row, including last season’s 66-19 rout. USC returns to the Rose Bowl, site of its streak-ending loss to Texas.

-- GARY KLEIN