USC football morning report: Trojans set to play California

Item of the day: USC’s 2015 recruiting class, with 17 commits, ranks in the top 15 in college football, according to ESPN, Scout.com and Rivals.com.

USC plays California on Thursday night at the Coliseum.

The Trojans improved to 6-3 overall and 5-2 in the Pac-12 Conference with a 44-17 victory on Nov. 1 at Washington State.

California (5-4, 3-4) defeated Oregon State, 45-31, in Corvallis, Ore., that day.

Both teams had an open date last Saturday.

In The Times:

• Trojans are prepared to play Cal
• USC notebook
• Is the Pac-12 benefiting most from the playoff system?

Around the Web:

• MMQB feature on Mark Sanchez and what changed for him in the off-season
• The Seahawks sign Stanley Havili to the practice squad
• Troy Polamalu sidelined for second consecutive week

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