USC football morning report: Penalty problems

Stat of the day: With 8.8 penalties per game, USC ranks 118 out of 125 major college football teams. Seven of the 20 most-penalized teams are in the Pac-12 Conference.

USC plays Washington State on Saturday at Martin Stadium in Pullman, Wash.

The Trojans fell to 5-3 overall and 4-2 in Pac-12 conference play after a 24-21 defeat last Saturday at Utah.

Arizona beat Washington State, 59-37, in Pullman. The Cougars are 2-6, 1-4.

On The Times:

• Three freshman could start on USC’s offensive line
• Are officials the reason for so many Pac-12 penalties?
• Remembering college football’s poll system

Around the Web:

• Week 10 bowl projections

Questions or comments about USC? Email me at LNThiry@gmail.com or tweet @LindseyThiry and I will respond to select emails in the weekly USC Now mailbag