Your second favorite time of the week is upon us yet again — it’s time to go all Jack Bauer with our weekly feature, 24 Hours to Kickoff:

Trojans head into Corvallis to face an Oregon State team that isn’t getting much respect, but at 4-3 has given everybody a game, with the exception of Cal and Boise State (and in fairness, they were up 14-0 in that one). And they’ll have their top RB, Yvenson Bernard, not to mention their NFL-destined 6’7″ TE Joe Newton.

But on our side of the ball, the Trojans got a much-needed week to rest and retrain their focus and gameplan for the second-half of the season; wide receivers Dwayne Jarrett and Steve Smith will be back and closer to 100%. The offense and defense had time to work a lot of different player combinations during the extended practice time. And as for those foggy ghosts of 2004 — tomorrow’s forecast is sunny, 71 degrees, and great visibility.

Enough of my blathering, it’s rundown time:

Bernard’s Playing – Yvenson Bernard, the Beavers tailback and top threat on offense, is planning to suit up and play, despite ankle issues. Team’s biggest game of the season? We expect no less. [The Oregonian]

Is It Finally, Officially Chauncey Time? – Chauncey Washington’s performance on the Trojans’ last drive against ASU was unquestionably impressive. Could it be enough to distance him from the rest of USC’s talented backfield corps on the depth chart? [O.C. Register]

No Sellout?: Still 400 tickets available as of this afternoon for the game at Reser Stadium tomorrow. C’mon Trojans — represent. [Scott Wolf Inside USC]

Cushing for Heisman: Speaking of representing — Brian Cushing’s got 26% of the vote over at AOL’s House Meeting for Playmaker of the Year. Go help push it to 27%. [AOL Sports]

Marlin McKeever, 1940-2006: Hate to close on a sad note, but updating our earlier report, Marlin McKeever — the man who did it all (fullback, defensive end, and punter for USC, before becoming a linebacking legend in the NFL) — has passed away.

The family asked that in lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to any of the following organizations in memory of Marlin McKeever: The High Hopes Head Trauma Center, 2953 Edinger, Tustin, Calif., 92780.; Crespi Carmelite High School, 5031 Alonzo Ave., Encino, Calif., 91316; the St. Mary Medical Center Foundation, Marlin McKeever Head Trauma Fund, 1050 Linden Ave., Long Beach, Calif., 90813, or Marv Goux, c/o USC Athletics, University Park Center, Los Angeles, Calif., 90089.

Our condolences to his family, and sincere hopes that the Trojans go out and honor him the right way — with hard work from opening kickoff to the final whistle on both sides of the ball tomorrow, and it should go without saying, a solid road win against the Beavers.