Syracuse vs. USC: TV Schedule, Live Streaming, Radio, Game Time and More

Lane Kiffin’s USC Trojans will enjoy a nice home stand against the Syracuse Orange.

The Orange is looking to become relevant again in college football, and there are very few ways to do it beside defeating the Trojans in USC.

USC started the season ranked, but two weak performances out of the gate caused them to drop out of the poll completely.

USC may not be the powerhouse they used to be under Pete Carroll, but the Trojans are still as exciting as ever with QB Matt Barkley and WR Robert Woods. One could easily make the case they are the top QB-WR tandem in the nation.

Both teams enter the contest 2-0, which means only one team will continue along the path of undefeated. The other will have a ton of questions to answer in Week 4.

It’s been 87 years since the Syracuse visited USC, so sit back and enjoy the history and points!

Where: L.A. Coliseum

When: Saturday, September 17, 8:00 PM (ET)

Watch: FX, TWC Sports 

Listen: 710 ESPN Radio Los Angeles, KSPN 710 New York, Syracuse IMG Radio Network, USC Trojans All-Access (Live Streaming Audio)

Betting Line: USC (-17)

This is a fitting spread. The Trojans have a high-powered offense, especially now that RB Marc Tyler has returned to the backfield. The Trojans are overdue to blow somebody out, and Syracuse isn’t much more than a cupcake team at this point in the program.

Key Storyline

Can Kiffin really lead this team towards the top of the BCS?

That’s my biggest storyline for the entire season with the Trojans. Kiffin may very well be too cocky for his own good. His team lacks discipline and plays way down to their opponent. He needs to come out and coach his team to a dominant victory.

Who Might Not Play for Syracuse

C Ian Allport is questionable with a concussion.

G Nick Lepak is questionable with a concussion.

S Orlando Fisher is out indefinitely with a lower body injury.

CB Ri’shard Anderson is out indefinitely with an upper body injury.

DE Chandler Jones is out indefinitely with a lower body injury.

T Sean Hickey is out for the season with a knee injury.

WR Marcus Sales is suspended indefinitely following a drug-related arrest.

QB Jonny Miller is suspended indefinitely following an arrest.

Who Might Not Play for USC

C Abe Markowitz is questionable with a foot injury.

DE Armond Armstead is out indefinitely with a chest injury.

WR Markeith Ambles is out indefinitely due to personal reasons.

FB Charles Burks is out for the season with a knee injury.

BCS/Top 25 Implications

Syracuse is simply looking to stay undefeated out of pride. This team has zero shot at winning the BCS National Championship or making the top 25 this season.

The Trojans are also looking to stay undefeated to get back inside the top 25. They fell out following miserable victories against Minnesota and Utah. They need a monster performance against the Orange or see nearly every single team at the bottom of the poll lose to crack the rankings after Week 3.

What They’re Saying

Syracuse was already facing an uphill battle in this contest. Not only will they have to travel across the country with an undermanned team, they’ll have to square off against defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin.

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“Preparing for this weekend's football game against Syracuse University should be a bit easier for USC defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin and his 36th-ranked defense. Kiffin is familiar with the Orange's offense, thanks to his connections from the NFL.

When Kiffin worked with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, he worked alongside former USC coach Paul Hackett, who is the father of current Orange offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett.

‘We worked down the hall from each other,’” Kiffin told the San Bernadino County Sun per Syracuse.com’s Katie Kramer.

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RB Marc Tyler is looking for redemption this season. He was suspended for the season opener against Minnesota for comments he made in public that were captured by TMZ. He impressed Week 2 against Utah and realizes he needs to mature.

"“’I need to grow up,’ he said…

‘I've always been the sarcastic and funny one, but I need to grow up. I mean, I'm 23,’ Tyler said…

‘I felt like I owed [the Trojans] and the fans this,’ Tyler said…

After hugging his teammates during his touchdown celebration, Marc Tyler finally raised one hand. But it was to point to the sky, not to himself. For the first game of the rest of his life, it's a start,” according to Los Angeles Times’ Bill Plaschke.

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Tyler was the Trojans’ leading rusher in 2010. He is an integral part of the offense, as he will keep the pressure off Barkley and the aerial attack.

Syracuse Player to Watch

It’s all about QB Ryan Nassib. He’s impressed beyond imagination in his first two games. He’s already tossed 496 yards and six touchdowns with just one interception through two games. One would expect USC to have a quality defense, but they’ve proven to be vulnerable. If the Orange have any hope to make this a fight, it rests on the arm of Nassib.

USC Player to Watch

It’s all about WR Woods. He is one of the most exciting players in the nation, especially at WR. He may already be a top-five wideout in the country. The kid simply “gets it.” He is a great route-runner with fantastic speed and leaping ability, but extraordinary foot work, separation skills and knack for hauling in the rock. Watch the greatness unfold as he continues his breakout campaign.

Key Matchup

The game, as expected, will come down to the connection between USC’s Barkley and Woods against Syracuse’s secondary. The Trojans are looking for an abundance of points in this one as they look to prove they are a top program in the nation. The entire offense flows through Barkley and Woods. Syracuse’s secondary can’t compete with these two, but if they could pull off a once-in-a-generation type of performance, this game won’t be a blowout.

On the Hot Seat

Lane Kiffin should be on the hot seat all season. His Trojans have failed to deliver in each game. He has an explosive offense featuring two of the most talented players in Barkley and Woods at their respective positions. His father, Monte, is a former NFL defensive coordinator and should be toying with the opposition. If Lane’s Trojans fail to impress for the third-straight week, USC will have to reconsider their coaching staff.

Prediction: 41-10

I fully expect the Trojans to come out with guns-a-blazing for the first time this season. Barkley and Woods already set school records against Minnesota, and they may shatter them or set others. These two may very well hook up for three scores of their own. Tyler is looking to continue his road of redemption and will score twice. Syracuse’s defense is no match for USC’s “Big Three.”