The top team in the Pac-12 South will host the bottom team Saturday, when Colorado travels to take on the USC Trojans.
How to watch Colorado-USC: Game guide, TV schedule, streaming, odds
Can the Buffaloes steal one from a banged-up Trojans squad?
The Buffaloes recorded both of their wins in non-conference play, defeating UMass handily on the road before taking care of Hawaii at home. Their other non-conference game, the neutral-site opener against Colorado State, was a two-touchdown loss. In Pac-12 play, the Buffaloes have faced Arizona State, Cal and Oregon State, losing all three games but the latter two by a single possession.
USC is coming off its second close win over a highly-ranked, undefeated conference foe this season, defeating Arizona a month after doing the same to Stanford. It hasn’t all been roses for the Trojans -- losses to Boston College and Arizona State blemish their otherwise unbeaten record, and they may have to win out to ensure the Sun Devils don’t catch them. USC continues to play undermanned, and hasn’t fared well in shootouts so far this season (USC’s two losses were the only two Trojan games in which both teams scored at least 30 points).
How to watch, listen, and stream
Game time: 6 p.m. ET.
TV: Pac-12 Network.
Radio: USC home games are available on ESPN radio. For a list of Colorado affiliates, check here.
Online streaming: Pac-12 Networks Live.
Our sites on these teams
The numbers
Rankings and records: USC is ranked No. 22 in the AP Poll and No. 25 in the Coaches Poll. Colorado is not ranked in either poll. The Trojans are 4-2, with a 3-1 record in conference play. The Buffaloes are 2-4, with an 0-3 record in conference play. USC holds an 8-0 lead in the all-time series.
Vegas: USC opened as a 20.5-point favorite. The line has since moved to 19.5. The over/under is 62.
Weather forecast: High of 76 and partly cloudy.
Two things at stake
USC leads the Pac-12 South, and a win here would help wrap up would what would be an impressive accomplishment for Steve Sarkisian’s first year on the job.
Colorado’s only remaining games against unranked teams come against UCLA and Washington. The Buffaloes need wins wherever they can find them.
One big matchup
Cody Kessler vs. the Colorado secondary. The Trojans' quarterback has looked like a different player than the one who struggled to hold onto the job last season, completing 69.1 percent of his passes for 7.6 yards per attempt, with 11 touchdowns against just one interception. He's been helped by strong play at wide receiver -- Nelson Agholor is fifth in the conference with 42 receptions (first is Colorado's Nelson Spruce), while JuJu Smith, Darreus Rogers and running back Javorius Allen have showed big-play potential. Allen is a threat out of the backfield, and one Colorado's linebackers will need to keep an eye on.
Colorado has had a lot of trouble stopping opposing pass attacks this season, giving up 15 touchdowns against three interceptions. It's hard to imagine the Buffaloes having much success against the Trojans without limiting Kessler's ability to make throws, which means strong performances from Derek McCartney (four sacks) and Tedric Thompson (three interceptions) are a must for Colorado.
Further reading
For full coverage of USC, check out Conquest Chronicles. For more on Colorado, head to Ralphie Report.
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