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Halfway through the season, the USC Trojans have fared just how many thought they would. Under the direction of new head coach Steve Sarkisian, the Trojans are 4-2 with two wins over Top 25 opponents and a fluke loss on a Hail Mary to end the game against Arizona State at home. Despite the loss, the Trojans are still in first place in the Pac-12 South.
It has been quite a while since the Colorado Buffaloes were a dominant program and one that was contending for titles year after year. Colorado is looking to improve each season and starting 2014 with a 2-4 record isn’t going to aid that process. The Buffaloes have lost two straight close games, however, so their record could easily be 4-2 right now.
The Trojans have had one of the better quarterbacks in the Pac-12 this season in Cody Kessler as he has been as reliable as they come. The junior has completed 69 percent of his passes for 1,565 yards and 11 touchdowns to go along with just one interception. The Trojans are a far cry from the team a season ago who couldn’t choose between Kessler and Max Wittek — clearly they chose right. Nelson Agholor has been as good as advertised this season, catching a team-high 42 passes for 405 yards and four scores. Freshman JuJu Smith been phenomenal as well, catching 22 passes for 246 yards, but has yet to record his first career touchdown. Running back Javorius Allen has been the most dynamic offensive player this season, catching 23 passes for 278 yards and a touchdown to go along with 781 rush yards and seven scores on the ground.
Sophomore quarterback Sefo Liufau has been solid and much improved this season, leading the Buffaloes to the 14th-best passing offense in the nation. The second-year starter has passed for 1,887 yards, 19 touchdowns and seven interceptions to go along with a 65 percent completion rate; he has also added another 120 rush yards. Junior wide out Nelson Spruce leads all receivers with 732 yards and 10 touchdowns on an astounding 62 catches. Shay Fields, Tyler McCulloch and D.D. Goodson all have over 200 yards receiving and a combined five touchdown catches. Colorado’s rushing offense hasn’t been nearly as impressive this season, ranking 79th in the nation in yards per game on the ground. Christian Powell leads all running backs with 274 yards and a touchdown
Defensively, the Buffaloes have struggled heavily this season. Colorado hasn’t been impressive in too mane facets of the game, but the defense has definitely been the weak point, ranking 109th in points allowed and 81st in total yards allowed per contest. The Trojans have been better, but not too much better. The Trojans rank 45th in points allowed per game while also ranking 74th in total yards allowed per outing. The crowd at the Coliseum will be electric for this late afternoon Pac-12 showdown.
Colorado will travel to USC to take on the Trojans at 6 p.m. EST on Saturday, Oct. 18. The game will be broadcasted on the Pac-12 Network.
PREDICTION: Colorado 20, USC 38
Want to see the Trojans take on the Buffaloes in week eight? Check out ScoreBig for tickets.
Connor Muldowney is a columnist for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @Connormuldowney, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google. You can also reach him at [email protected].
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