USC Game 6 Preview: Washington State Cougars

USC: 4-1 (Pac-10 2-1)

WSU: 1-6 (Pac-10 0-4)

Location: Pullman, WA

Time: 12:30 PT

Media: FSN

Spread: USC –42 points. (USC was – 41 points against Stanford last year at home)

In a rebuilding year again, this time under a new coach Paul Wulff, Washington State has given up an average of 55 points per game while scoring only eight PPG.

They have given up over 60 points in three games. Their lone win came against Division 1-AA Portland State (2-4).

However, don’t expect the Trojans to go on a scoring frenzy. A number of second- and third-tier players will get their chance to show what they can do due to injuries and illnesses.

Allan Bradford will undergo season-ending surgery and is expected to redshirt. Defensive end Everson Griffin, linebacker Jordan Campbell, tailback Marc Tyler, Jordan Cameron, snapper Chris Pousson, offensive tackle Butch Lewis and wideout Vidal Hazelton will not be flying up to Pullman.

Linebackers Brian Cusing and Kaluka Maiva, both banged up, saw only limited action during practices this week.

The anchor on the offensive line, Jeff Byers, has a sore knee and may not see very much playing time this weekend. will be looking to parlay their playing time this week into future consideration down the stretch run.

Instead, it will be the young studs like Tyron Smith on both the offensive and defensive lines that will need to step up to avoid another upset like the one at Oregon State a few weeks ago.

Quarterback Mark Sanchez is still not 100 percent after getting sacked in the Oregon game and could use a rest if the Trojans are able to mount a substantial lead early. But with a makeshift line, don’t count on it.

One surprise, however, tailback Joe McKnight, who wasn’t expected to make the trip due to a slow-healing toe injury, was added to the travel roster this morning along with kicker Joe Houston and safety Ryan McMahon.

For Washington State, Kevin Lupina will return behind center for the first time in three weeks. Lupina, who started the season at quarterback, gave way to Marshall Lobbestael due to ineffectiveness and injuries.

However, Lobbestael suffered a torn MCL and ACL last week and will be out for the season.

This forced the Cougars to advertise in the school newspaper for anyone who had played quarterback in high school to tryout for the team. Right now, Lupina’s backup is freshman J.T. Levenseller, the son of Cougars wide receiver coach Mike Levenseller.

Both running backs, Dwight Tardy and Chris Ivory, have been dinged up and are questionable. A junior college transfer, Chantz Staden, may see his share of action.

If the O-line can give Lupina or Levenseller enough time to get rid of the ball, the Cougars have two pretty decent receivers, Brandon Gibson and Jeshua Anderson.

As far as their defense is concerned, let it suffice to say the Cougars are ranked 114th among the nation's 119 Division 1-A teams.

Last year’s team gave up an average of 421 yards per game and allowed their opponent to complete 61 percent of their passes with 23 for touchdowns. This year, the stats are even worse.

Of special note, linebackers Brian Cushing and Rey Maualuga were both named among the 12 semifinalist for this year’s Lombardi Award.