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USC Football: 3 keys to victory vs. BYU Cougars in Week 3

ByKyle Grondin|
LOS ANGELES, CA - SEPTEMBER 07: Quarterback Kedon Slovis #9 of the USC Trojans scrambles out of the reach of linebacker Andrew Pryts #25 of the Stanford Cardinal in the first half of the game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on September 7, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - SEPTEMBER 07: Quarterback Kedon Slovis #9 of the USC Trojans scrambles out of the reach of linebacker Andrew Pryts #25 of the Stanford Cardinal in the first half of the game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on September 7, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)
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LOS ANGELES, CA – SEPTEMBER 07: Running back Vavae Malepeai #29 of the USC Trojans points to the sky after scoring a touch down in the fourth quarter of the game against the Stanford Cardinal at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on September 7, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – SEPTEMBER 07: Running back Vavae Malepeai #29 of the USC Trojans points to the sky after scoring a touch down in the fourth quarter of the game against the Stanford Cardinal at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on September 7, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)

3. Establish the run game again

In Week 1, Vevae Malepeai ran rampant against Fresno State, as he accounted for 134 yards and a touchdown. His backup, Stephen Carr, ran for 56 yards on nine yards per carry and a rushing touchdown.

Week 2 was a different story, as Malepeai, Carr and Markese Stepp all combined for 108 rushing yards, but were hardly a factor in Kedon Slovis’ big night.

BYU’s defense, meanwhile, has been, well, appallingly bad — to put it nicely — in its first two games against the run. Zack Moss ran for 187 yards for Utah in Week 1 against the Cougars. He was the biggest factor for the Utes in their victory as they won 30-12. In Week 2, Tennessee’s top two running backs combined for 231 yards on the ground.

The Cougars have a lot of holes in the front-seven, and the Trojans must take advantage. I have no doubts that Slovis can make the big throws when necessary, but getting Malepeai and Carr in the game early and often, keeping the Cougars defense guessing.

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