USC Now mailbag: The challenge begins, defensive pressure and offensive line

A little over a month ago, we were thankful for the start of training camp.

Two weeks ago, we were excited for the official return of college football.

And now finally, Saturday we will start to learn what the 2015 USC football team is really made of.

If you want to join a future mailbag, email me at LNThiry@gmail.com or tweet @LindseyThiry.

I hope USC fans realize that there is parity in college football and quit being so picky. If one looks up the scores of the Cal Poly vs. Arizona State game after the third quarter or the Jacksonville State vs. Auburn score, people will start to see how hard it is to win at the FBS level. USC beat Arkansas State and Idaho by those scores because they were prepared to play. Can Stanford beat USC this Saturday? Yes! Of course they can. I personally think USC will win if they play within themselves and minimize turnovers and penalties. If anyone thinks they can predict what a bunch of 18- or 19-year-olds will do on a Saturday afternoon, well then go to Las Vegas and make your fortune. It’s only football. Fight on.

— Peter Mota

Amazingly enough, Peter, a lot of people are going to Las Vegas and are making money betting on college football games.

USC played two easy non-conference opponents, Arkansas State and Idaho of the Sun Belt Conference.

There was a lot of criticism about the early cupcake schedule, but the Trojans do deserve credit for taking their competition (or lack thereof) seriously and dominating those games.

Although Stanford is off to a shaky start, the team presents the first real challenge of the season.

The last five games between USC and Stanford have been decided by eight or fewer points.

Stanford has won four of the past six games, but USC has won the last two — each by a field goal.

If all goes as expected, USC will win this match up for a third consecutive season and the Trojans will start to prove that they are a real contender for the College Football Playoff — and not just a team that is really good at beating up bad opponents.

What’s your biggest worry: Lack of defensive pressure, Cody’s seeming lack of spreading the ball, or offensive line?

— Brandan Edwards, @consciousb

Defensive pressure.

USC has recorded two sacks in two games against far inferior opponents.

The Pac-12 Conference boasts some of the best quarterbacks in college football.

The Trojans must find a way to put more pressure on them as conference play begins.

Are you convinced Bob Connelly is the answer as o-line coach?

— Rob Noblin, @JRNoblin

USC allowed five sacks in the first half against Arkansas State.

The issue was cleaned up in the second half and quarterback Cody Kessler wasn’t sacked once against Idaho.

Because the Trojans haven’t played an opponent with a defensive front as physical as most Pac-12 teams, it’s difficult to tell how the line is prepared to perform under first-year USC assistant Bob Connelly.

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