Quarterback
ASU redshirt junior quarterback Steven Threet bounced back from a concussion and a two-interception performance against California to post his most efficient game of the season.
Facing what has been a susceptible defense this season in USC, Threet will have to come close to duplicating his performance from last week if the Sun Devils are to have a chance at breaking the losing streak to the Trojans.
USC Sophomore Matt Barkley has been one of the best passers in the country in 2010, living up to his billing as one of the top recruits in the country just two years ago.
EDGE: USC
Running backs
The Sun Devils running backs, including freshman Deantre Lewis, Kyle Middlebrooks and sophomore Cameron Marshall, got back on track against Washington State, helping the team post 118 rushing yards and providing balance to the passing game.
The Trojans offer up a strong rushing duo in redshirt senior Allen Bradford and redshirt junior Marc Tyler. The two have combined for over 1,000 rushing yards and over six yards a carry, helping the Trojans to the 21st ranked running game in the country.
EDGE: USC
Receivers/ Tight Ends
Once again, the Sun Devils had multiple receivers contribute in the passing game against WSU, with six Sun Devils wide-outs catching passes.
While ASU’s passing offense focuses primarily on the underneath routes, they do have the ability to stretch the field at times, though the top is not consistently taken off the defense. It also seems that the Sun Devils have dropped fewer passes as the season has worn on.
USC’s duo of senior Ronald Johnson and freshman Robert Woods figure to be the best the tandem Sun Devils have faced all year. The two have combined for 14 touchdowns and numerous big plays.
EDGE: USC
Offensive Line
ASU coach Dennis Erickson seems pleased with his starters on the offensive line, which include redshirt freshman Evan Finkenburg at the ever important left tackle position, flanked by redshirt junior Mike Marcisz at left guard.
Redshirt junior Aderious Simmons appears entrenched at the right tackle spot moving forward and has improved each week. Should any of the starters falter, ASU has more depth than perhaps at any point in the last three years.
With the return of graduate guard Jon Hargis and redshirt junior Dan Knapp from injury, the Sun Devils can replace struggling linemen at Erickson’s discretion.
The Trojans start two upperclassmen. Sportswriter and analyst Phil Steele has two Trojan linemen, redshirt senior Butch Lewis and junior tackle Tyron Smith, on his mid-season All Pac-10 first team.
The Trojans have one of the best running games in the country, have given up only nine sacks on the season and are 13th in the country in total offense — much of that has to do with the big boys up front.
EDGE: USC
Defensive Line
ASU freshman defensive end Junior Onyeali had his breakout performance against WSU with three sacks and many more hurries.
With the graduation of defensive end and sack master Dexter Davis, the Sun Devils may have finally found his replacement in Onyeali.
Junior defensive ends Jamaar Jarrett and James Brooks have also played at high levels recently.
The Trojans best lineman up front must be junior defensive tackle Jurrell Casey. He is fourth on the team in tackles, an extreme rarity for an interior lineman, and also has two sacks on the year.
The Trojans defense has struggled mightily all season long, ranking 98th in the country overall, and those struggles start up front.
EDGE: ASU
Linebackers
With junior Shelly Lyons out for the season and junior Oliver Aaron nursing a couple of injuries, the Sun Devils aren’t as deep at linebacker as they have been in previous weeks.
Sophomore Vontaze Burfict led the unit in tackles once again last week against WSU.
The Trojans best linebacker is probably sophomore Devon Kennard, who leads the team in tackles.
USC is not nearly as good at this position as they have been much of the past decade.
EDGE: ASU
Secondary
The Sun Devils secondary was a major reason the Cougars did not break the plane of the goal line last Saturday.
Senior LeQuan Lewis had a career breakout game with a spectacular first half interception, while cornerbacks — redshirt freshman Osahon Irabor and junior Omar Bolden — both played well.
USC redshirt senior cornerback Shareece Wright and sophomore safety T.J. McDonald lead the Trojans secondary. McDonald is likely USC’s best defensive player. He is second in tackles and has three interceptions on the season.
The Trojans pass defense is 114th in the country, so they don’t deserve too much credit.
EDGE: EVEN
Special Teams
Despite the struggles of redshirt senior kicker Thomas Weber, ASU is in the upper-half of the country in most special teams categories.
The punting unit was once against outstanding, as redshirt senior punter Trevor Hankins placed two balls inside the five (with the help of Lewis).
The Trojans do have two returns for touchdowns on the season, one from Robert Woods, but have not been as good as ASU in the punting game.
Both teams have struggled in the field goal department.
EDGE: ASU
Overall EDGE: USC
Reach the reporter at nick.ruland@asu.edu
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