| When the Cougars run the ball: The Trojans front seven is the visitors’ greatest strength, and even a WSU running game that has been improving probably doesn’t match up. A battered Cougars offensive line doesn’t help, either. EDGE: USC |
| When the Cougars pass the ball: The Cougars look like a team with a potent passing game against all comers, but history has shown that the aerial attack struggles mightily against good defenses. This is one of them. EDGE: USC |
| When the Trojans run the ball: The Cougars defensive line has made enough progress to slow down USC’s ground game, although defensive tackles Ropati Pitoitua and Feveae’i Ahmu will need to play well for that to hold up. This is not the Trojans running game of years past. EDGE: EVEN |
| When the Trojans pass the ball: Even without Dwayne Jarrett, USC still sports a wide receiving corps deep enough to give WSU’s secondary problems. John David Booty is an accurate passer, and the Cougars secondary will probably leave enough open passing lanes to make that a factor. EDGE: USC |
| Coaching/intangibles: Tough to get much better than the Trojans coaching staff, and how’s a 24-game conference winning streak sound for momentum? In each of the three Bill Doba-Pete Carroll matchups, USC has been much more talented and much better prepared. EDGE: USC |
| Home-field advantage: Had to give something to the Cougars. It’s the second game of the year at Martin Stadium and the first in three weeks, with a capacity crowd expected to be on hand. EDGE: WSU |
