The USC Trojans and the Arizona State Sun Devils will compete against each other in a battle of programs trending in complete opposite directions. After a near loss against Oregon State last week, the undefeated Trojans will face a struggling Arizona State team Saturday night.
The Trojans’ defense has been nothing but phenomenal this season. USC’s defense leads the nation with 11 interceptions.
“If you play at a high level, if you compete at a high level and you do so with a team effort, we will not only play you, we will start you and we will champion you,” said defensive coordinator Alex Grinch after Wednesday’s practice.
Although the defense is firing on all cylinders, the Trojan offense has slowed down considerably in the past couple of weeks. Sophomore quarterback Caleb Williams went 16-for-36 for 180 yards and one touchdown against Oregon State, Williams’ lowest stat totals and completion percentage of the season so far. Consistency has been a key goal this season for Williams, and it’s clear that he still needs to improve in that aspect of his game after his production against Oregon State.
“We need to coach better.,” head coach Lincoln Riley said after Tuesday’s practice when asked about Williams’ performance. “We need to prep our guys better and we need to play better and more precise.”
Whether or not better coaching and preparation will lead Williams out of his current slump, it will be an interesting quarterback matchup this weekend regardless. Arizona State redshirt junior quarterback Emory Jones is a dual-threat athlete who might be able to take advantage of USC’s diminished defensive line. Jones had a season high of 261 passing yards on 21-of-36 completions against Utah last week. Jones just might be peaking at the right time to catch the Trojans unprepared.
“[Jones] can make all the throws but also extend plays with his feet,” senior inside linebacker Ralen Goforth said after Tuesday’s practice.
Redshirt sophomore edge rusher Romello Height is likely to miss out on the rest of the season after having a procedure on his shoulder, according to Riley. Height injured his shoulder early in the game against Fresno State and did not return from the locker room. With Height being removed from the lineup, the burden will be placed on the rest of the defensive line. It could be tough sledding for the Trojans if the USC defensive line isn’t up to the task.
Sophomore inside linebacker and former ASU outside linebacker Eric Gentry had a notable performance against Oregon State last week. Gentry collected an interception from Oregon State quarterback Chance Nolan, which allowed the Trojan offense to set up a field goal that put USC on the scoreboard. Eyes are on Gentry this week as he faces his former team at a new position. However, the inside linebacker appears to be unphased and remains focused on performing well and assisting his team.
“Just another football game.,” Gentry said after Wednesday’s practice.
After a rocky start to the season, the Sun Devils will face USC on a three-game losing streak. Former Arizona State head coach Herm Edwards was dismissed from his coaching duties following a 31-20 loss to Eastern Michigan in Week 3. Since then, the Sun Devils have been under the leadership of interim head coach Shaun Aguano, the team’s former running backs coach. Despite the coaching change, the Trojans are approaching this game the same way as they would have at the start of the season.
“You can’t really switch your mindset,” Goforth said. “You know the mindset of the team is that we have to prepare and not take it lightly.”
The 4-0 Trojans will kick off against the 1-3 Sun Devils this Saturday, Oct. 1 at 7:30 p.m.