Don’t let the line on the game fool you. The USC coaches have been tight lipped and a little tense around Heritage Hall for quite a few reasons this week. This could be a real barn burner for the Trojans and the defense will need to come up with another great effort for the Trojans to leave Seattle with a win.

The Trojans are playing the second of back-to-back road games and this game comes after a huge emotional win over Ohio State. The coaches and players have been battling a bit of the flu bug with McKnight missing the last two practices and the Trojans are most likely starting a new Quarterback this week and All-American Safety Taylor Mays is banged up.

Also, the Huskies are more talented than they get credit for and have possibly the most dynamic QB in the country in Junior Jake Locker. He is a step up from Ohio State coach Tyrelle Pryor. “Jake is one of the best players I’ve ever seen in this conference in all the years we’ve been here. He’s the most extraordinary athlete at his position that we’ve seen. I saw that as a freshman. Said USC Head Coach Pete Carroll “So now with Sark’s coaching and the scheme and everybody all pumped up around him, that makes him extremely dangerous.”

Forget about last season’s 0-12 record. Before Locker got hurt last year the Huskies were competitive (lost by 1 pt. to #15 BYU on a controversial celebration penalty) and the team gave up on lame duck coach Tyrone Willingham. Though Willingham was not the right coach for Washington, he did do a very good job of recruiting top skill position players.

Accompanying Locker is Redshirt Freshman Running Back Chris Polk (5 star recruit that picked the Huskies over the Trojans), Junior Wide Receiver D’andre Goodwin and Sophomore Tight Kavario Middleton. Each of these players have the talent to be All-Pac-10 caliber player’s and will give the Trojans defense all they can handle.

Washington returns 18 of 22 starters from last year’s squad and are now playing with a swagger that usually comes with a new head coach. Washington easily hung with LSU in the season opener.

Though the Trojans defense is one of the best in the country, this is a dynamic offense that will be able to score points. It is imperative the Trojan offense can get in a rhythm early and able to drive the ball down the field on the Huskies. The Trojans offensive line should have a huge advantage and that should lead to big holes for the running backs and opportunities in the passing game that were not available against Ohio State. Washington gave up over 350 yards of passing to Idaho.

USC will need a big game out Damian Williams and with McKnight under the weather, another running back or two will need to step up and compliment him with over 100 yards rushing.

If USC avoids turnovers and is able to win the time of possession battle they should be able to take over in the 4th quarter. On the flip side, a tired USC defense in the 4th quarter against Locker and the Huskies could lead to a loss. Unlike Pryor, Locker wants the ball when the game is on the line and is a true play maker.

In the end, USC’s vastly superior line play, depth and coaching experience should be the difference and lead SC to a 3-0 record.