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

Finally, Andrew Luck and the rest of the No. 6 ranked Stanford Cardinal have their first real test of the season against the No. 20  USC Trojans.

A week after breaking the school rushing record, the Cardinal continue Pac-12 conference play against the Trojans, a team coming off a huge win at Notre Dame.

With Luck and Matt Barkley making this the battle of two of the best five QBs in the nation, expect a high-scoring affair that will feature an abundance of thrilling plays. Will Stanford stay undefeated? Or will USC destroy the Cardinal season?

When: Saturday, Oct. 29 at 8:00 p.m. ET 

Where: Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, LA California

Watch/Live Stream: ABC, ESPN3.com

Listen: ESPN 710 AM in L.A, KZSU 90.1 FM in Palo Alto

Spread: Stanford -7.5 @ USC

(Spread courtesy of Covers.com)

The Cardinal had one of their closest games of the season in 2010 against the Trojans, escaping with a two-point win.

Yet the previous year Stanford won by 34.

The biggest issue with taking Stanford is the half point. Yet with these key trends, I still believe the Cardinal are the pick:

STAN are 9-1-1 ATS in their last 11 road games.

STAN are 19-6-1 ATS in their last 26 games overall.

Cardinal are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 meetings in Southern California.

Road team is 5-1 ATS in their last 6 meetings.

USC Trojans Injury Report

Robert Woods (questionable): Coach Lane Kiffin stated today that Woods is dealing with “a couple of [injuries]” but will likely play. If Woods can’t suit up, the Trojans are in deep trouble considering they are dealing with all of the following injuries:

Dillion Baxter, RE: Probable (personal)

Lamar Dawson, LB: Probable (ankle)

Torin Harris, CB: Questionable (shoulder)

Martin Coleman, T: Questionable (shoulder)

Stanford Cardinal Injury Report

Delano Howell, S: Questionable (hand)

BCS/Top 25 Implications

The Cardinal have no choice but to keep winning. It looks like it’s going to take an undefeated season to reach the title game and a loss to unranked USC would end any thoughts of BCS glory.

A victory simply keeps up with the rest of the unbeatens.

USC is 20 th in the AP poll and would jump up 3-5 spots with a win. If the Trojans keep winning they may end up in the Top 10 by the time this season is in the books.

What They’re Saying

The Stanford Cardinal have faced absolutely zero adversity this season and Chip Patterson of CBS Sports believes falling behind early may be the Trojans key to victory:

With the NCAA sanctions preventing them from a Pac-12 title game appearance or bowl game, conference showdowns like this take a new level for the Trojans. USC has forced 10 turnovers in their last three contests, and nothing would fire up the Coliseum crowd quite like an interception of Andrew Luck. One thing Stanford has not been forced to do once this season is overcome a deficit on the road. Jumping out to an early lead would break the norm for the Cardinal. When trying to defeat a team in the midst of a 15-game winning streak, you would like to make the situation as abnormal as possible.

USC Player to Watch: Robert Woods

Woods’ health is imperative to a Trojan victory and if he can’t go…this is going to be a romp.

The 6'1" sophomore has already racked up over 900 yards and eight TDs in only seven games. His speed and athleticism are second-to-none at the college level.

If he can get past the Cardinal secondary for multiple scores, this game is coming down to the final minutes.

Stanford Player to Watch: Stepfan Taylor

The junior running back has led the vaunted rushing attack of the Cardinal, putting up 697 yards and six TDs. If the 5'11", 208-pound barrel of a back can physically dominate the Trojan linebackers, the Cardinal will once again run wild.

If USC can contain Taylor, all of the pressure falls on Andrew Luck’s shoulders, something that has yet to happen in 2011.

Prediction

Stanford 34, USC 21

The offense is too balanced, too experienced and too talented to lose to a Trojan team that is dealing with multiple injuries to an already average defense.

Luck will continue to choose his spots and pick apart a slower defense for the eighth game in a row.

The Cardinal contain Woods to a certain extent and force Barkley into enough mistakes to keep the Trojan point total to three touchdowns.