USC Football: 10 Things the Trojans Must Fix to Beat the Washington Huskies

The University of Southern California (No. 18*) Trojans are 4-0 and the Washington Huskies are 1-2 after a humiliating 56-21 defeat by the Nebraska Cornhuskers (No. 6*) in their last game.

USC is favored by 10 points.  But, Washington has played a very good team, and the Trojan’s first four games have been considered a “preseason” because they are all weak teams.

The Huskies have two advantages.  Washington has had two weeks to prepare for the USC game due to a bye last weekend.  Their coaching staff also knows most of the USC athletes because they previously coached at USC. 

However, this is a home game for the Trojans at the Los Angeles Coliseum.

Both teams have a lot at stake. 

Washington needs a win to get back on track, and it is their first Pac-10 game. 

USC needs to show that it can play a complete game against a better Pac-10 team.  The Trojans also lost 16-13 to the Huskies last year in a big upset dropping USC from No. 3 to No. 12 in the AP poll.

Both USC head coach Lane Kiffin and Washington head coach Steve Sarkisian know each other very well and are good friends.  They shared the USC offensive coordinator role a few years ago.

Recent text messages and comments between them are hilarious.  Sarkisian started the exchange by saying that USC is “the most talented football team in our conference from top to bottom.” 

Kiffin responded: 

“That's an old Lou Holtz trick that he (Sarkisian) learned watching TV a long time ago. To call a team that has the lowest scholarships probably in the country the deepest team in the Pac-10, that's an old set-up trick.”

"We can barely find enough guys to practice. Our service team is made up of some kids from science class. Half of them never played football before."

Of course, Kiffin admitted that he “watched the same show” when questioned by a reporter about downplaying one's own team.

To prove you can’t believe anything a coach would tell you in game week, Kiffin said, “He told me [Jake] Locker got hurt and was out for the game.”

Kiffin said, "They're a very physical team in all three phases of the game with one of the most dynamic players in the game. We're going to have our hands full."

So, who can you believe about the game this weekend?

Probably no one, but here is my quick take at the 10 things the Trojans must fix to beat the Huskies this Saturday:

1. Stop Jake Locker passing and running:  Nebraska did this with six very fast defensive backs, but this is a USC weakness and the Trojans can’t match the Cornhuskers.
2. Achieve a turnover margin of at least two:  This is something that the Trojans have yet to achieve and requires better decisions by Matt Barkley and no fumbles.
3. Keep penalties below 50 yards:  Avoid penalties in key situations which has cost the Trojans many points in the first three games.
4. Offensive line must perform well the entire game: Continue the improvement seen in the past two games.
5. Defensive front seven must perform well the entire game:  Continue the improvement seen in recent games.
6. Use all offensive weapons in a balanced attack:  Adjust game plan if needed to take advantage of what is working best.
7. Special teams:  Make field goals and continue to play well in other areas.
8. Blitzing:  Improve effectiveness of blitzing on defense so it is not predictable.
9. Solidarity:  Offense, defense, and special teams have a good game together.
10. Avoid injuries, especially to the offensive line, linebackers, and defensive backs:  This is also needed for the tougher Pac-10 games coming up.

This may be the game to determine if USC will be competitive in the Pac-10.

The one thing you can believe is that it will be worth watching!

*AP Week 5 Poll