Washington State faces a huge test this weekend as they battle 12th ranked USC in Los Angeles. It's the first time the Cougars are truly taking their game on the road this season (the Seattle game is considered a "home" game). All I can say is...this one could get interesting (I can't think of a better word right now).

I see USC on the schedule and it strikes instant fear into my heart. I was at Martin Stadium when the Trojans rolled into town last year. It was easily the ugliest football game my eyes have ever seen. I think I am permanently damaged by the 69-0 outcome. I can't help but think it's going to happen again, but then I realize that things are different than they were last season.

The Trojans no longer have Mark Sanchez at quarterback (he's showing off his skills for the New York Jets now), instead they have freshman Matt Barkley. There were some questions on if he was going to play or not, but he will be the guy. Barkley missed last week's loss against Washington because of a shoulder injury. A lot of people say if Barkley would have played against the Dawgs, the Trojans would have won that game (noting that he beat Ohio State in Columbus the week before). The bottom line is...the kid is good, but he is not Mark Sanchez (yet).

USC has tremendous talent all over the field, so it's hard to pinpoint the guys who are capable of doing the most damage. Joe McKnight leads the Trojans in rushing with 305 yards (a 101.7 yard average) and three touchdowns this season. Stefon Johnson is more of the red zone runner. He's run for 141 yards and four touchdowns this year. Allen Bradford, Stanley Havili, and C.J. Gable could all possibly get touches on Saturday.

Wide receiver Damian Williams has been the Trojans top target in 2009. He has 11 catches for 158 yards. David Ausberry also gets a lot of looks. He has six receptions for 71 yards. Aside from those two, USC's top receivers aren't wide receivers at all. Tight end Anthony McCoy is dangerous (the Trojans love their tight ends), registering six catches for 120 yards. USC's running backs also get a lot of looks out of the backfield.

Just going by the numbers, the passing game hasn't been the Trojans biggest threat this season (they've scored nine touchdowns on the ground, compared to two through the air). That could be a much different story this weekend. Aside from the four interceptions against SMU last week, the Cougars allowed the Mustangs to move the ball with ease (hence the 424 passing yards allowed). In fact, the Cougars rank dead last in the country in pass defense, allowing 368.7 yards per game (the next closest team is Illinois at 339.5 ypg).

If USC's defense has a weakness it would be the passing game as well (I would hardly call it a weakness though). The Trojans allow 175.3 yards per game through the air, but they have yet to allow a passing touchdown. It doesn't help WSU's cause that All-American safety Taylor Mays is back from injury, and will start on Saturday night.

If USC's pass defense has some holes (albeit a stretch), the rush defense is a brick wall. The Trojans allow only 51 yards on the ground per game (that's the 5th best mark in the country).

Please note that the Trojans have allowed only two touchdowns all year.

Please also note that this team is beatable...Washington proved that with a 16-13 win over USC last weekend. I think the Dawgs had a lot of factors working in their favor (injuries, coaching staff, etc), but a win is a win.

I hate to say it (I'm sure you're thinking it too), but this is not going to be much of a football game. It won't be the 69-0 drubbing handed out last year though. The Cougars are dinged up, they are playing an opponent out to prove themselves, and Paul Wulff is taking a young team on the road for the first time (to one of the most hostile environments in the Pac-10). My prediction: USC 49, WSU 3.

Kickoff is scheduled for 7:15 on Saturday night. The game will be televised nationally on FSN. We'll have full coverage of the game on KREM 2 News and KREM.com.

We talked to Paul Wulff, Andy Mattingly, and Marshall Lobbestael at practice this week (click their names for uncut interviews). You can also find a live practice report from Pullman and my Cougar blog on the WSU page on KREM.com.

I also wanted to remind you that you can follow me on Twitter for all of the latest in Cougars athletics (and so much more). I've also tweeted from the sideline at every home game this season. Don't miss out...follow me @TLKREM2!

That's all I have for now...GO COUGS!

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