Arizona (1-3, 0-2) at USC (3-1, 1-1)
Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum at 12:30 p.m. pacific on FSN
Wildcat to Watch: Senior WR Juron Criner
QB Nick Foles triggers every play, but Criner is the dynamite. After a tumultuous offseason, the Vegas native had his appendix taken out earlier this month. He is coming off a strong nine catch effort against Oregon and will have a considerable height advantage over USC's top corner Nickell Robey. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian of the winning TD catch in 2009)
Click the link to learn more about U of A:
GAME5_ARIZ_USC_2011FBNOTES.pdf
3 Keys
Explosive Plays
Arizona has been torched for long runs in all three losses this season to top 10 teams. With Amir Carlisle sporting a bulky brace, D.J. Morgan, Curtis McNeal or Dillon Baxter could stake a claim as Marc Tyler's complementary back. The Trojans have had no trouble gaining yards or first downs this season, but methodical drives mean more opportunities for mistakes.
Shake It Off
The 2011 defense looked a whole lot like 2010 last week in the desert, but they were solid in the first three games. The Wildcats will spread the Trojans out and force the back seven to make tackles in one-on-one situations. If USC's linebackers and defensive backs can step up and force Arizona to look vertical, the pass rushers can dominate an inexperienced Wildcats offensive line.
Learn from Experience
The freshmen and first year starters have suffered typical inconsistency issues, but Lane Kiffin expects the maturation curve to turn for the better Saturday. The kids are not lacking in talent. Linebackers Dion Bailey and Hayes Pullard are budding defensive stars. WR Marqise Lee, OG Marcus Martin, TE Xavier Grimble and TE Randall Telfer have all flashed brilliance, but the coaches want to see the light shine for 60 minutes.
Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum at 12:30 p.m. pacific on FSN
Wildcat to Watch: Senior WR Juron CrinerQB Nick Foles triggers every play, but Criner is the dynamite. After a tumultuous offseason, the Vegas native had his appendix taken out earlier this month. He is coming off a strong nine catch effort against Oregon and will have a considerable height advantage over USC's top corner Nickell Robey. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian of the winning TD catch in 2009)
Click the link to learn more about U of A:
GAME5_ARIZ_USC_2011FBNOTES.pdf
3 Keys
Explosive Plays
Arizona has been torched for long runs in all three losses this season to top 10 teams. With Amir Carlisle sporting a bulky brace, D.J. Morgan, Curtis McNeal or Dillon Baxter could stake a claim as Marc Tyler's complementary back. The Trojans have had no trouble gaining yards or first downs this season, but methodical drives mean more opportunities for mistakes.
Shake It Off
The 2011 defense looked a whole lot like 2010 last week in the desert, but they were solid in the first three games. The Wildcats will spread the Trojans out and force the back seven to make tackles in one-on-one situations. If USC's linebackers and defensive backs can step up and force Arizona to look vertical, the pass rushers can dominate an inexperienced Wildcats offensive line.
Learn from Experience
The freshmen and first year starters have suffered typical inconsistency issues, but Lane Kiffin expects the maturation curve to turn for the better Saturday. The kids are not lacking in talent. Linebackers Dion Bailey and Hayes Pullard are budding defensive stars. WR Marqise Lee, OG Marcus Martin, TE Xavier Grimble and TE Randall Telfer have all flashed brilliance, but the coaches want to see the light shine for 60 minutes.
Here's a look at last year's win over the 'Cats and our conversation with Arizona QB Nick Foles at Pac-12 Media Day...
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