USC Football: Defensive Line Must Come Up Big for Stanford to Run out of "Luck"

In USC's big victory Saturday night against Notre Dame, several aspects of the Trojans game improved immeasurably.

The long dormant running game, led by the diminutive tailback Curtis McNeal and big Marc Tyler, found their groove and gashed a good Irish defense to the tune of a combined total of almost 200 yards.

But they weren't alone and they didn't do it by themselves.

No, the much maligned big guys in the trenches did their part too.

In opening big holes for McNeal and Tyler, the offensive line turned in their best performance by far in 2011.

Even the defensive secondary, a unit that was ranked 98th in pass defense coming into the Notre Dame game, had a huge night by performing a magic trick that would make the amazing Kreskin envious.

Led by cornerback Nickell Robey, they made Notre Dame's fantastic wide receiver, Michael Floyd, simply disappear.

To those who follow the Trojans, the return of the aforementioned units who were missing in action for so long in 2011, was a welcome sight indeed and gave those same fans delirious expectations of what might come for the rest of the year.

Now the Trojans will face the mighty Stanford Cardinal and their all world quarterback, Andrew Luck.

Luck has lived up to all of the advance billings in leading the Cardinal to a 7-0 record and a No. 4 ranking in the AP.

And he will absolutely shred the Trojans unless one more missing unit finally shows up next Saturday.

Going into 2011, USC's defensive line was supposed to be a strength for the Trojans. With athletic bookend defensive ends Nick Perry and Devon Kennard complementing a veteran interior, the D-line looked to be a quarterbacks nightmare this season.

Instead, opposing quarterbacks have had all day to pick the beleaguered secondary apart—which helps explain that No. 98 ranking alluded to earlier.

Prior to the start of the season, Perry, a freak of an athlete, promised 15 sacks in 2011.

So far, he is about 11 short of that lofty ideal.

However, it's not just Perry who has come up empty.

The entire defensive line has been bereft of pressure delivered to opposing quarterbacks.

Not just sacks, but pressure.

And if Andrew Luck has time to contemplate his throws, he will carve the Trojans up like so much pre-November turkey.

For the Trojans to win this game, Luck must be harassed and bothered all game long. If not, all those good feelings the Trojans delivered against Notre Dame will be a thing of the past.

So come on D-line, step up the pressure eh?

And you Mr. Perry, how about making up some ground on those 15 sacks you promised?

Otherwise, it will be a long and sad Saturday this week for the cardinal and gold.