FRESNO STATE (0-0) at No. 15 SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA (0-0), 7:30 p.m. (FOX)
Line: USC by 21½.
Series Record: USC leads 2-1.
WHAT'S AT STAKE
USC drillmaster Steve Sarkisian makes his admission in a rematch of aftermost season's Las Vegas Bowl, won 45-20 by the Trojans. Sarkisian was the school's fourth arch drillmaster of 2013, but he was off to a quiet alpha in his acknowledgment to USC until the accomplished week, back CB Josh Shaw sprained both of his ankles and afresh was bent lying about how it happened. Fresno State could capitalize on the aberration in the Bulldogs' aboriginal bold back QB Derek Carr's abandonment for the NFL.
KEY MATCHUP
Fresno State S Derron Smith vs. USC QB Cody Kessler. The Trojans are counting on addition solid division from Kessler, who started every bold aftermost year and led a tumult-plagued affairs to 10 victories. Smith is the Mountain West's preseason arresting amateur of the year, and he'll advance a accessory that was disconnected by Kessler in Vegas.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Fresno State: QBs Brian Burrell and Brandon Connette. Drillmaster Tim DeRuyter beneath to name Carr's almsman this week, adage he'll accomplish a game-time decision. The called one will get an actual analysis adjoin a USC aegis anchored by DL Leonard Williams.
USC: CBs Chris Hawkins and Adoree Jackson. These two accustomed freshmen are accepted to ample in for Shaw, who has two aerial abate sprains and a lot of answer to do. Hawkins is acceptable to start, but do-everything amateur Jackson is acceptable to accord immediately.
FACTS & FIGURES
USC's blood-tingling 50-42 achievement over Fresno State in 2005 was after alone due to NCAA penalty. ... USC RB Tre Madden ability not be accessible with a case of accommodation toe, but the Trojans are loaded at tailback again, led by Javorius Allen. ... Fresno State opens its division adjoin a ranked adversary for the sixth time in academy history and the aboriginal time back 2003. ... Carr is gone, but the Bulldogs acknowledgment 16 starters from their record-setting 11-2 team. ... The aftermost bristles USC coaches accept won their debuts. ... The Trojans are arena the aforementioned adversary in after amateur for the aboriginal time back they played Arizona back-to-back in 1916 and 1917.
Title : Fresno St-USC Preview Capsule
Description : FRESNO STATE (0-0) at No. 15 SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA (0-0), 7:30 p.m. (FOX) Line: USC by 21½. Series Record: USC leads 2-1. WHAT'S A...