PLAYERS TO WATCH
–RB Aca’Cedric Ware told reporters following the Texas loss that he felt the team had been “kinda lazy” in practice leading up to game day. With USC’s run game lacking, the veteran Ware will be a central figure in the Trojans’ effort to reverse course. Since rushing for 100 yards in Week 1 against UNLV, Ware tallied 59 yards against Stanford and eight at Texas.
–QB JT Daniels earned praise from coach Clay Helton, who said the true freshman was “more decisive” at Texas than the previous week against Stanford. Helton noted Daniels’ completions to nine different receivers, totaling 322 yards with little run-game support while under regular duress from the aggressive Longhorns’ pass rush.
–DL Christian Rector played his best statistical game of 2018 against Texas, recording seven tackles in the loss. Rector was outstanding at Washington State a season ago with six tackles, including a shared sack, plus a quarterback hurry. The USC defense can cause havoc against an inexperienced Washington State offensive line, but needs a big start from Rector.
–CB Ajene Harris faces a Washington State offense known for attacking primarily with the pass, one week after Texas beat him twice on touchdown strikes. Harris is a veteran in a USC secondary rendered thin due to injuries and suspensions, and he’s an important key in slowing the Cougars’ Air-Raid passing attack.
SERIES HISTORY: USC is 59-10-4 against Washington State all-time but lost two of the last three in the series, including last year’s 30-27 decision in Pullman.
QUOTE TO NOTE: “Right now, we’re playing inconsistent with our assignments, with our fundamentals and technique, situational mastery, and sometimes, even our communication. That’s my job as a head coach, to make sure that their job is effort, and they’re competing at the highest level. I take ownership in that.” — USC coach Clay Helton
