GAME NOTES: After having their 35-game home winning streak snapped in one of the biggest upsets this season, the now 10th-ranked USC Trojans hope to start a new streak as they host the Arizona Wildcats in Pac-10 action from the L.A. Coliseum this weekend. Pete Carroll's Trojans were 41-point favorites against Stanford this past weekend, but could not overcome numerous turnovers, suffering a 24-23 loss to the Cardinal. The setback leaves USC at 2-1 in league play, now trailing Arizona State (3-0), UCLA (3-0) and California (2-0), who are undefeated atop the league standings. The Wildcats have struggled this season and are just 2-4 overall, including a 1-2 mark in- conference. Arizona was able to post a stunning 48-20 whipping of Washington State two weeks ago, but failed to build on that solid win with last week's 31-16 loss to Oregon State. USC holds a huge 24-6 edge in the series with Arizona and has won the last five meetings.

The Wildcats allowed 24 first-quarter points to Oregon State last week and were never able to catch up, despite allowing just 44 second half yards. The ground game simply wasn't working, with the 'Cats totaling a mere nine yards on 27 carries. The team did manage 222 passing yards, but it certainly wasn't enough to get back in the game. The ground game has been a point of contention all season long, with the team averaging just 86.0 yards per game. The strength of the offense is the passing attack, which churns out a respectable 306.8 yards per outing. Quarterback Willie Tuitama has been solid this season, completing over 60 percent of his passes, for 1,822 yards, with 15 TDs and seven INTs. Mike Thomas has been one of the Pac-10's most productive receivers, leading the team in receptions (38), receiving yards (423) and TDs (six). Consistency on the ground is something the team needs to work on. One bright spot has been the emergence of freshman Nic Grigsby, who is averaging 5.1 yards per carry in four games this year.

The Wildcats completely shut down the Beavers in the second half last week, but unfortunately for them, the damage was already done. The unit has been mediocre at best on the season, allowing 28.2 ppg, on 374.3 yards of total offense. Creating opportunities has been a problem for the defense, with just nine forced turnovers and 12 sacks in the first six games. All-conference linebacker Spencer Larsen currently paces the team in tackles with 49 stops. Another senior leader is cover corner Antoine Cason, who has 40 total tackles, one sack, two interceptions and one forced fumble to his credit. Senior end Jason Patrick (3.0) and senior tackle Lionel Dotson (3.5) are responsible for more than half of the team's sacks.

The Trojans got 364 yards passing from quarterback John David Booty, but he also threw four interceptions, as USC lost at home for the first time since 2001. All-American candidate Fred Davis was once again masterful in the vertical game, as the talented TE caught five balls for 152 yards and one TD. Booty was a Heisman hopeful to start the season, but has proved to be a solid, yet not spectacular signal-caller. Booty has completed 64.6 percent of his passes this year, but for only 1,239 yards, with 12 TDs and eight INTs. A fractured finger on his throwing hand has him listed as questionable for this contest. Wideout Patrick Turner leads the team in receptions (25), but it has been the Mackey Award candidate Davis, who has thrived downfield this year. Davis has 23 receptions and leads the team in receiving yards (435) and TDs (three). Sophomore Stafon Johnson has led the way on the ground for USC, averaging a a robust 8.2 yards per carry. He is netting 94.5 yards in four games this year.

The numbers would suggest that USC's defense has been a force this season. The team is allowing just 269.0 yards of total offense in 2007, but opponents are netting over 20 points per game (20.6). Still, foes are converting just 35 percent on third down and have scored 13 TDs against USC on the year. The strength of the defense is in the middle, where LBs Keith Rivers (team-high 40 tackles,, 2.5 TFLs) and Rey Maualuga (36 tackles, 3.5 TFLs, 1.0 sacks) roam. The defensive line is solid thanks to the play of veterans Lawrence Jackson (21 tackles, 5.0 TFLs, 4.0 sacks) and Sedrick Ellis (20 tackles, 5.5 TFLs, 4.0 sacks) and the emergence of Kyle Moore (18 tackles, one sack, two interceptions, one fumble recovery).

The Wildcats had little chance of winning this game before USC lost focus a week ago. Rest assured, Pete Carroll will have that focus fine-tuned this week, as the Trojans make light work of Arizona, with or without their quarterback at the helm.

Sports Network Predicted Outcome: USC 40, Arizona 13