David Shaw and the Stanford Cardinal will come into the Coliseum tonight and try to upset Sam Darnold and the USC Trojans. This could be the Pac-12 game of the year, and last week only increased the hype. Stanford pumped Rice 62-7 and the Trojans somewhat struggled against Western Michigan. The Trojans dropped two spots in the AP polls to 6 this week because of it. I think that this might have been a little harsh because, ultimately, they still have Sam Darnold.
USC
Ronald Jones had a monster opening day with 159 yards and 3 TDs. I think that Jones is going to have a monster game again today against a very good Stanford defense. He is the key today for USC, as he needs to open up the passing game against a tough secondary.
Look for the Trojans to have a very balanced attack coming into the game. I think that Stanford’s secondary will give Darnold enough opportunities for him to expose them, and Ronald Jones will be key for play action passes, and long plays down the middle of the field. This is USC’s key all season long, not only this game. Everyone knows who Sam Darnold is, and defenses will throw everything at him to throw him off.
Ronald Jones=Major Key
Stanford
Much like Ronald Jones, Bryce Love went off against Rice for 180 yards and a TD. The Junior RB is Stanford’s key in this game as well, just not for the same reasons as USC. Keller Chryst will need to manage short yard situations and needs 5-6 yard gains from Love. It will be interesting to see how the defensive fronts of both teams manage these beasts at the runningback position.
I think Stanford is going to play very conservative and smart, smash-mouth football. I also think this will be a low scoring game. I do not think this will be a shootout where Chryst will be forced to make tough throws late in the 4th.
Prediction
I think Stanford will be leading most of the game, and Sam Darnold will have an opportunity to lead the Trojans to victory on the last drive. I think the future #1 pick will win the game for the Trojans, and these teams will meet again in the Pac-12 championship game.
USC 31 – Stanford 27
The only reason I’m choosing USC over Stanford is simply the fact that Sam Darnold is a Ginger, and is soon to be the #1 pick in the NFL draft. I support others in this tough day in age.
