USC Trojans vs. Arizona Wildcats: Complete Game Preview

When the Trojans venture into the desert of Arizona, there will be two teams looking to answer long-term questions for 2012.

For USC, it will be hoping that the team that crushed Colorado last Saturday is the same one that can sustain the momentum of completing the rest of its schedule with victories and end up in a very nice BCS bowl game.

Meanwhile, the Wildcats will be searching for a win at home over a Top 10 program after losing to some of the top teams in the nation.

Now 4-3 after crushing Washington last week, Arizona is close to becoming bowl-eligible, and a signature win over the Trojans will pad an already impressive resume.

This slideshow will look at this compelling matchup and offer a prediction for the winner.

Can the Trojans get by a tough Wildcat team without looking ahead to the following week's tilt against Oregon?

Will Arizona rise to the occasion and win at home as an underdog?

Here are the specifics for a much-needed win for both teams.

Depth Chart: Arizona Injuries

Defensive end, Dominique Austin has missed the last two game with a foot injury and is doubtful for the USC game.

The following players have been listed as "questionable" for USC:

Jared Tevis (Safety): ankle

Kyle Quinn (Center): ankle

Trace Biskin (O-line): toe

Johnny Jackson (Wide Receiver): ankle

Kirifi Tuala (Defensive End): shoulder

Terrence Miller (W/R-T/E): ankle

Injury information provided by: college injury report.com

Depth Chart: USC Injuries

No new injuries were reported to college injury report.com

What Happened to the Wildcats Last Week

Arizona absolutely crushed Washington at home, 52-17.

Quarterback Matt Scott threw for 256 yards and four touchdowns, while running back Ka'Deem Carey went off for 172 yards in 29 carries as the Wildcats controlled the line of scrimmage, especially in the second half when they shut out the Huskies.

What Happened to the Trojans Last Week

Quarterback Matt Barkley and wide receiver Robert Woods both had record-setting days as the Trojans easily dispatched an over-matched Colorado Buffalo team, 50-6.

What This Game Means to Both Teams

In what will be a recurring theme for USC until the end of the season, every game is a must-win if the Trojans continue to entertain BCS title hopes.

Of course, simply winning each game still may not be enough to get the Trojans to the championship game, but what is certain is that another loss eliminates any of those lofty hopes.

This makes the Arizona game another "do or die" affair for 2012 Trojan glory.

On the other hand, Arizona has bowl aspirations of its own and a win over a Top 10 USC team will certainly pad a resume that is already impressive for the most part despite those three losses.

A loss to the Trojans drops the Wildcats to .500 and makes the rest of the schedule critical if Arizona hopes to garner a decent postseason game.

Keys to a Trojan Win

Against Colorado, the Trojans broke out a no-huddle offense which caught a hapless Colorado defense off guard and allowed Matt Barkley to find his receivers downfield for some ridiculously easy scores.

While that offensive wrinkle was very effective against the Buffs, don't look for a repeat of this strategy against Arizona.

The Wildcats play a frenetic up-tempo offense, and because of this, the Trojans will likely look to be more deliberate to allow the defense to catch its breath in the warm desert air.

In looking to sustain long drives, the Trojans will also need to get running backs Silas Redd and Curtis McNeal much more involved than the six combined carries they had against the Buffaloes.

On defense, the line will have to pressure Wildcat quarterback Matt Scott and somehow contain running Ka'Deem Carey who is having a great season for Arizona.

Look for the linebackers to be more active along the line of scrimmage and safety T.J. McDonald to support the run as he cheats up close.

Keys to a Wildcat Win

On offense the Wildcats will be looking to duplicate the kind of balance that was so successful against Washington last week.

Arizona produced an impressive 533 total yards against the Huskies and did it by not relying on one portion of the offense.

With 277 yards on the ground complemented by 256 through the air, the Wildcat offense had Steve Sarkisian's defense on its heels all game long and that kind of productivity will be paramount against the Trojans.

Defensively, Arizona will have to decide where it wants to make hay against a Trojan offense that will likely have its way with the Wildcats.

Either against the run or the pass, the Wildcats will need to get pressure along the line of scrimmage in order to either shut down USC's run game or get pressure on Trojan quarterback Matt Barkley, which will likely require blitz packages that commit linebackers up close.

USC Will Win If...

USC will need to start quickly to take the crowd out of the game and do it with sustained, long drives that feature a balanced attack.

This means that both running backs, Silas Redd and Curtis McNeal, must have big games and protect the ball.

If the Wildcats bring their linebackers up to support the line of scrimmage, USC will need to take some shots down the field to keep the defense honest.

Defensively, the Trojans' line must get penetration and limit Ka'Deem Carey's rushing productivity.

Shutting down the Wildcat rushing attack will allow for pressure on quarterback Matt Scott who has a much more difficult time throwing downfield with someone in his face.

Arizona Will Win If...

If the Wildcats can strike early, they can get their rabid crowd into it and that could create problems for the Trojans.

In order to do this, they must replicate the offensive game plan that worked so well last week against Washington.

That means a fast-paced, balanced attack that features a healthy run game supported by Matt Scott and his favorite receiver; Dan Buckner must be featured against an improving Trojan defense that isn't afraid to take chances.

On defense, the Wildcats must choose their poison and try to shut down either USC's passing game by committing to pressure Barkley or focus on the running game in an effort to turn the Trojans into a one-dimensional offense.

Prediction

On many levels, this should be a very good game that features two teams that really can't afford to lose.

Arizona will try to use a hurry-up offense to confuse and limit Trojan substitutions, while USC will attempt to slow the game with a more balanced and deliberate attack.

The difference in this game is the defenses.

Where the Trojans have the 30th-ranked defense overall, Arizona's is an abysmal 104th in the nation.

Against an offense like USC's that appears to finally be getting on track, that will be its doom:

USC 49, Arizona 28