No. 19 USC comes to Tempe in a primetime showdown with ASU football on Saturday, and brings with them several questions about the team after a 10-point home loss to Stanford.
The State Press sought the help of Neon Tommy Sports Editor Paolo Uggetti of USC's Anneberg School for Communication and Journalism to answer some of our burning questions about the matchup.
We're approaching historic territory, as far as ASU is concerned, if the Sun Devils can beat USC on Saturday for the third consecutive year. If Steve Sarkisian loses to ASU again, how hot will his seat be when he returns to Los Angeles?
Uggetti: Well, this question assumes that Steve Sarkisian will have a seat when he returns to Los Angeles…
In all honesty, though, I don’t see Sark getting booted at the airport before boarding the plane like Lane Kiffin did in 2012, but I would not be surprised if somebody’s seat — whether it be Sark’s or someone else’s — to be as hot as it's ever been if the Trojans lose to ASU. This team’s minimal goal was to win the Pac-12 South. After a disappointing loss to Stanford, losing to the Sun Devils will actually set them back substantially from that goal. After touting championships, an 0-2 start in conference play will undoubtedly put somebody on alert.
Did Stanford provide the blueprint to beating USC? What, if anything, was exposed about the Trojans in that game?
Uggetti: The Trojans have mostly chalked up the victory to lack of execution, and though most of that is true, they have also acknowledged that they played into Stanford’s gameplan and tempo. USC is trying to implement the up-tempo so badly, that when they run into a team that forces them into a slower, more methodical game, it feels like they can’t adjust. Stanford showed that USC has issues with defending the run and containing a mobile QB as well as being unable to pressure him. In the past, dual-threat guys have been this defense’s nightmare. Early on in 2015, it doesn’t look like that has changed.
Between running back Tre Madden, wideout JuJu Smith-Schuster and a Heisman candidate in quarterback Cody Kessler, what should ASU fans expect to see from this dangerous USC offense?
Uggetti: As bad as the defense looked against the Stanford, the USC offense had their “worst game” where they still put up 31 points and 427 total yards. This side of the ball is very much loaded with talent. JuJu Smith-Schuster and Cody Kessler are improving their deep-ball connection by the week, already having connected for four touchdown passes. In the run game, the trio of freshman have shown flashes of great potential in various ways, while Tre Madden has had four rushing touchdowns of his own. With returning starter Justin Davis getting more carries, this offense will try to establish the run from the get-go, but its comfort zone is in an up-tempo, short passing game that puts athletic receivers like Smith-Schuster on the move.
From the five-deep, uber-versatile tailbacks, to one of the best receivers in the country, the Sun Devil defense should have its hands full.
Without Adoree' Jackson on offense, what kind of looks will USC show, and conversely, what will the secondary look like with a limited Kevon Seymour?
Uggetti: On Wednesday, Sarkisian did not rule out Seymour from Saturday’s game, however, I would imagine that even if he plays, he will be limited enough to where Adoree’ might only see a play or two on offense, if any. That means slot receiver Steven Mitchell Jr., who had two touchdowns last game, should be expected to step up. The redshirt junior has been continually targeted with deep balls during this week’s practice session, and many have been wondering why he isn’t being targeted as much (See: JuJu)
On the other side, no Seymour means more of five-star recruit Iman Marshall. Marshall started his first game last Saturday and did not look particularly ready. With one game under his belt, however, Bercovici might be surprised at what he gets when he targets a lauded ball-hawker in Marshall. After all, both Sark and DC Justin Wilcox made breaking up a passes a point of emphasis this week.
Special teams has been an achilles heel for ASU, especially against the L.A. schools. (Nelson Agholor and Ishmael Adams have burned the Sun Devils on kick and punt returns for touchdowns in the past) With that said, how effective has USC's special teams unit been and what are its strongest and weakest points?
Uggetti: Aside from a kickoff return for a touchdown that got called back thanks to a penalty, USC’s return game in punts and kickoffs has been mediocre. Jackson is making quizzical decisions by taking out deep kickoffs and not fair-catching punts, but has yet to produce any kind of big plays off of them. That being said, I would still argue that Jackson’s dangerous return game is this unit’s biggest strength. If he gets going and finds open grass, you might as well forget about it and get ready for the next one.
Who are some under-the-radar Trojans that play a bigger role than they get credit for and could make a big impact Saturday?
Uggetti: On offense, it has to be Ronald Jones II. Jones is a freshman tailback, but when he runs, you would think he was a junior with years of experience. The tailback from Texas shows signs of explosiveness with such ease that he could easily take upon a starting role anywhere, and he already has two long runs of 44 yards, as well as two touchdowns to his name. He’s a name to watch for not just this year, but beyond.
On defense, another talented freshman fits the under-the-radar bill, and that’s linebacker Porter Gustin. When fall camp began, Gustin was already bigger than most of the older, more experienced linebackers. His aggressiveness and ability to rush the passer is something the Trojans desperately need, and with incumbent starter Scott Felix nursing a small knee injury, Gustin should get a few more reps this game that could go a long ways toward improving the defense as a whole.
Prediction?
Uggetti: When looking at the schedule before the season began, I had this game as one the Trojans would lose. A post-Stanford trek to the desert to face a faster offense in ASU? Everything pointed to a USC letdown game. Now that that game has already occurred, however, I don’t see how the Trojans and Sark move mountains to try and make sure they win this game. A loss here and their season is in serious peril. I think the Trojans find a way to bounce back in a close shootout. 41-35.
Follow @PaoloUggetti on Twitter and check out Neon Tommy's coverage of #ASUvsUSC.
Reach the sports editor at smodrich@asu.edu or follow @StefanJModrich on Twitter.
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