An Underdog's New Tricks: Five Keys To Washington Upsetting No. 3 USC

With the large talent gap between UW and USC looming, the Steve and Nick show will have to demonstrate that they can outsmart the man who launched both into the coaching stratosphere.

Can Sark effectively use the spread formations he's come out with the past two games, or did he develop a playbook specifically for this game?

Will Holt bring exotic blitzes to pressure Matt Barkley? Or will he load the box to stop the run and trust his shaky secondary to make plays against the true Freshman?

While 4 sacks in two games is a huge improvement over 2008, only one of them came against a BCS conference school.

The Trojans boast one of the best offensive lines in the country and stopping their vaunted running game is a lot to ask for any defense.

If Nick Holt decides he doesn't want to load the box, can the young (yet talented) line pick up the slack and hassle Matt Barkley?

Through two games, the Offensive Line has exceeded all expectations by allowing the Huskies to throw for nearly 600 yards and rush for another 275.

The Trojans defense however, has only allowed 193 yards per game of total offense, and a mere 49 yards per game rushing.

Jake Locker has proven that he can be an accurate and top notch pocket passer, if given the time and targets. Can one of the biggest preseason question marks for UW step up and allow Jake the time to throw?

Can a starting secondary complete with a two Freshman, a Sophomore and a Junior really compete with a team as good as USC?

So far this has been the biggest gray area for the Huskies as they have continued to allow big time passing yards.

Desmond Trufant has shown moments as the future of the the UW CB position. While Victor Aiyewa has a mean streak and big hit ability, but can the whole unit put it together?

This week could be a case of a team being only as good as it's weakest link.

I could write this analysis every week, and this could very well be the biggest key to victory in every single one. Jake Locker is the heart and soul of this team, and may be one of (if not the single) best athletes in the country.

Given the time, can Jake pick apart a secondary led by All-American (and Seattle native) Taylor Mays? If flushed out of the pocket, can he run the way he did (against USC) in 2007? Or will Pete Carrol be ready for the "West Coast Tim Tebow" this go around?

The last time a Jake Locker led Husky squad played USC, they took it to the wire.

I would argue that this team has a better talent base than that 2007 team, and with a new motivation, a new coaching staff and a new identity; USC is on full upset alert this Saturday.