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

The No. 23 USC Trojans have gotten off to a strong start, but they're going to hit the road for the first time this season to take on the Arizona State Sun Devils on Saturday night.

Make no mistake, the Sun Devils are not going to make it easy on the Trojans. They are very talented on both sides of the ball, and Sun Devils Stadium is going to be rocking. We are going to find out just how good (or not good) USC is this season.

For now, let's take a closer look at the matchup.

Where: Sun Devils Stadium

When: Saturday at 10:15 p.m. ET

Watch: ESPN and streaming live on ESPN3.com

Listen: Streaming audio on USCTrojans.com for Trojans; 92.3 FM, Sirius 139 and streaming audio on TheSunDevils.com for Sun Devils.

Betting Line: Arizona State -2.5, according to Bodog

Key Storyline

In addition to this being USC's first road test, their No. 23 ranking is very much going to be at stake. The Sun Devils just lost a spot in the Top 25 with their loss to Illinois, and it's possible that they could get back in with a win.

Who Might Not Play for USC

USA Today's injury report has four Trojans players listed as questionable. Abe Markowitz has a foot injury, defensive end Armond Armstead has been experiencing chest pains, linebacker Marquis Simmons has a neck injury and tackle Martin Coleman has a shoulder injury.

Who Might Not Play for Arizona State

USA Today also has has defensive end Junior Onyeali listed as doubtful with a knee injury, and it has offensive lineman Aderius Simmons listed as questionable with an ankle injury as well.

BCS/Top 25 Poll Implications

I highly doubt that either of these teams are going to be in the mix for a BCS berth at the end of the season, but this game certainly has Top 25 implications. Like I noted above, the Trojans are fighting for the right to stay in the Top 25, and the Sun Devils are hoping to get back in.

What They're Saying

Through Gary Klein of The Los Angeles Times, Trojans quarterback Matt Barkley says he's hoping for a better time out on Saturday than the last time he played in Sun Devils Stadium. As a freshman in 2009, Barkley completed just seven of 22 passes for 112 yards.

"That was probably one of the worst football games I've ever been a part of just overall," Barkley said. "I've grown in a lot of ways. We'll be a lot more prepared in a lot of areas to handle their defense."

Amazingly, the Trojans did manage to win that game, so Barkley probably shouldn't be beating himself up too much.

Meanwhile, in Arizona, Doug Haller of The Arizona Republic wrote that Saturday's showdown could end up determining the fate of the Pac-12's South division. He notes that Arizona State hasn't beaten USC in its last 11 tries, and head coach Dennis Erickson is not about to underestimate the Trojans.

 "I don't see much difference in the USC this year than the other four years that we've played them," Erickson said.

Aside from the sanctions, of course.

USC Player to Watch: Matt Barkley

The Trojans are that their best when Barkley is at his best, and his best can be scary. Syracuse found out firsthand last weekend, as Barkley torched the Orange for five touchdown passes. The Sun Devils had better be on alert.

Arizona State Player to Watch: Vontaze Burfict

Don't look now, but Burfict could be the best linebacker prospect since Patrick Willis. He is a fearsome player, and he is particularly dangerous to quarterbacks. Heads up, Mr. Barkley.

Key Matchup

It will be Burfict vs. whoever has the rotten luck of being in his way. If the Trojans can keep him away from Barkley, they should be able to move the ball effectively and score points. If they can't, things could unravel in a hurry.

On the Hot Seat

Gotta go with Dennis Erickson here. His seat is relatively cool right now, but the pressure is on him to do something with the team he has at his disposal, which is very talented. A win over USC will cool his seat considerably.

Prediction

I have a feeling this is going to be a very entertaining game to watch. But in the end, I think the Trojans are going to falter in what is their first true test of the season.

Arizona State 28, USC 21