Quarterback
EDGE: USC
After a pair of impressive performances to start the season, junior quarterback Brock Osweiler struggled at times during ASU’s loss to No. 24 Illinois last week.
He managed to throw for 256 yards while completing 25-of-45 pass attempts. He also threw for a touchdown, but was picked off twice by the Illini defense. Osweiler tacked on a 14-yard rushing touchdown to start the fourth quarter. He did all of this while taking a beating from the opposing defense and facing unrelenting pressure throughout the game.
ASU coach Dennis Erickson expects Osweiler to react to the defense better going forward.
Since assuming the starting duties in 2009, USC junior quarterback Matt Barkley has been solid under center for the Trojans.
Last season, he threw for 2,791 yards to go with 26 touchdown passes and tossed two touchdowns or more in seven games. Barkley’s posted a strong showing through his team’s first three games so far this season. His 324 passing yards and five touchdowns to five different receivers pushed USC to a 38-17 win over Syracuse.
Running Back
EDGE: Even
Junior running back Cameron Marshall was hampered by a leg injury during the majority of the second quarter last Saturday. When at full strength, there’s no question that Marshall is a playmaker for the Sun Devil offense.
Despite the nagging injury, Marshall scampered for a team-leading 69 yards against Illinois.
The Trojans boast a pair of dangerous options in their backfield in redshirt senior Marc Tyler and redshirt junior Curtis McNeal. Tyler led the USC offense in rushing a season ago by tallying 913 yards on 171 carries. He bolted for nine touchdowns while also collecting one touchdown reception for a team leading 10 scores.
McNeal led the Trojans on the ground against the Orange with 79 yards rushing.
Wide Receivers/ Tight Ends
EDGE: Even
A trio of seniors led the ASU receiving corps in week three. Senior wide receiver Gerell Robinson was Osweiler’s go to target for much of last week’s game. Robinson enjoyed a standout performance by corralling eight catches for 88 yards and a touchdown.
Senior wide receiver Aaron Pflugrad wasn’t far behind with his seven catches for 75 yards, and senior wide out Mike Willie caught three passes for 65 yards.
Five different USC receivers hauled in touchdown passes from Barkley against Syracuse, proving that the Trojans undoubtedly feature some depth at wide receiver.
Sophomore wide out Robert Woods has continually showed that he is capable of being a dominant offensive threat. He’s made 33 catches through the Trojans’ first three games of the season, which is the most in program history during a three-game set.
Offensive Line
EDGE: ASU
The experienced Sun Devil offensive line struggled to combat the Illini’s strong defensive front throughout the game while Osweiler was sacked six times.
False start and holding penalties from the O-line also proved to be costly down the stretch. Nonetheless, ASU’s offensive line is far more talented than it showed against Illinois.
Five USC offensive linemen with starting experience departed following last season. Junior left tackle Matt Kalil and junior center Khaled Holmes are now the Trojans’ most experienced starters on the O-line.
Despite some inexperience, USC’s frontline protected Barkley well against Syracuse, and allowed just a single sack.
Defensive Line
EDGE: USC
Sophomore defensive end Junior Onyeali fell victim to a knee injury just minutes into the first quarter, and was sidelined for the remainder of the Illinois game. He is expected to miss this week’s Pac-12 opener. The absence of Onyeali, the reigning Pac-10 Defensive Freshman of the Year, will be a significant blow to the Sun Devils’ defense.
Sophomore defensive end Davon Coleman is expected to fill in for the injured Onyeali. Senior defensive end Jamaar Jarrett remains an imposing figure on the line after receiving Honorable Mention All-Pac-10 honors last season.
The USC defensive line looks to be a dominant force this season as the unit returns six experienced players.
USC will count on junior defensive end Nick Perry who owns 49 career tackles, 16 1/2 for loss and 12 sacks. He’s netted 12 tackles and two sacks already this season. Fellow junior defensive end Wes Horton has tallied 52 tackles and four sacks in 15 career starts.
Linebackers
EDGE: ASU
The resilient trio of senior linebackers Colin Parker and Shelly Lyons and junior linebacker Vontaze Burfict provide ASU with not one, but three playmakers on defense.
Parker grabbed a half sack against the Illini, which was the first of his career.
Redshirt senior USC linebacker Chris Galippo brings no shortage of experience to the linebacker position for the Trojans. He’s collected 119 tackles and five interceptions in his career.
A pair of redshirt freshman in Dion Bailey and Hayes Pullard played exceptionally well versus the Orange. Bailey led the team with six solo tackles to go with a tackle for loss and a sack. Pullard earned seven tackles, five of which were solo.
Secondary
EDGE: USC
The ASU secondary got picked on at times by Illinois sophomore quarterback Nate Scheelhaase. The Illini passed for 135 yards and one touchdown. Additionally, ASU struggled to slow down senior wide receiver A.J. Jenkins, who amassed 103 receiving yards.
However, junior cornerback Deveron Carr and senior safety Eddie Elder give ASU two capable defenders in the secondary. Elder did suffer a concussion against Illinois, but could be ready to play on Saturday.
Junior safeties T.J. McDonald and Jawanza Starling anchor the USC secondary. McDonald’s team-leading 89 tackles and three interceptions helped earn him All-Pac-10 Second Team honors last season. Starling, meanwhile, has accumulated five tackles so far in 2011.
Special Teams
EDGE: Even
It’s safe to say that word has gotten out about junior wide receiver/ returner Jamal Miles. After returning a UC Davis kickoff 98-yards in week one, he’s been rather quiet and avoided since then.
Of course, Miles returned a 99-yard kick against UCLA last year, and remains a potent threat on each and every opponent kickoff.
Sophomore Kyle Middlebrooks is no slouch either, as he completed an 18-yard return last week.
Redshirt freshman kicker Alex Garoutte missed his only field goal attempt in the Illinois game. His attempt from 32-yards out sailed wide-left. Garoutte is now one of three in field goal tries in ASU’s previous two games.
USC is counting on freshman Andre Heidari to take over the kicking duties this season. He nailed a 26-yarder, but missed a 46-yard attempt a week ago. Heidari is two of three on the year with his longest connection coming from 47 yards.
The Trojan’s return game is averaging just over 18 yards per return this season.
Overall
ASU is fortunate to kick off its Pac-12 schedule at home in Sun Devil Stadium, but the No. 23 Trojans will be a far from easy test. With Barkley’s leadership and offensive prowess at quarterback and an abundance of talent on defense, USC looks to have a slight advantage heading into Saturday’s matchup. The Sun Devils will need to be more efficient in the red zone and avoid costly turnovers and penalties if they hope to upend USC for the first time since 1999.
Reach the reporter at greg.dillard@asu.edu
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