Pac 12 Power Rankings and Stockwatch for Week 2
USC got out-gained 291-413 and their 13 points was their lowest total in a conference game since last year’s 10-7 Washington State debacle. After that game against Wazzu, the word “Kiffin” was suddenly stenciled onto every “Fire Lane” sign east of La Cienega.
After this one, there are going to be “Sark for President” signs at USC’s next home game.
It’s funny how things change.
In USC’s first game against Fresno State, the differences in Sarkisian’s offensive approach were evident. The Trojans went Mach 3 against Fresno State, racking up 700 yards of offense on a Pac-12 record 105 plays. But against Stanford on Saturday, USC beat The Farm at their own game.
The Trojans were all too happy to match Stanford’s style, playing power-run football with measured aggressiveness in the passing game. Buck Allen ran for 154 yards, nearly all of it between the tackles. And Cody Kessler was an efficient 15/22 for a bit more than 6 yards per pass.
USC was also clean on turnovers while getting 2 big takeaways and forcing another fumble deep in SC territory that the Cardinal recovered outside of field goal range.
It will be three weeks before the Trojans face another Pac-12 opponent, but for now they have shown they can win pretty and win ugly, with their defense or their offense, at home or on the road. That makes them are the most impressive team in the South Division by a mile.