What: USC (5-1 overall, 3-1 Pac-12) vs. Colorado (1-5 overall, 1-2 Pac-12)
When: Saturday, Oct. 20, 3 p.m. PT
Where: Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum
TV: Pac-12 Networks
Radio: ESPNLA 710 (pre-game show starts at 10 a.m. PT)
Scouting Colorado: Colorado, under second-year coach Jon Embree (CU’s former All-Big 8 tight end), has lost all but once (a 35-34 victory at Washington State) this season, including falling last Thursday against Arizona State, 51-17. Statistically, CU ranks in the bottom 20 nationally in total offense (327.3) and total defense (494.2).
The Buffalo offense is guided by junior QB Jordan Webb (109-of-193, 56.5 completion percentage, 1,141 yards, 8 TD, 4 INT in 2012). Freshman FB/TB Christian Powell (69 carries, 294 yards, 4.3 avg, three TD, plus three receptions for 16 yards) and sophomore TB Tony Jones (39 carries, 218 yards, 5.6 avg, two touchdowns, plus 14 receptions for 55 yards) are the top runners, while redshirt freshman WR Nelson Spruce (27 receptions, 291 yds, 10.8 avg, two TD) and sophomore WR Tyler McCullouch (20 rec, 243 yds, 12.2 avg, two TD in 2012) are the leading pass-catchers.
On defense, watch for junior SS Terrel Smith (52 tackles, three deflections, two fumble recoveries), junior ILB Derrick Webb (48 tackles, four for loss, one sack), freshman CB Kenneth Crawley (45 tackles, two for loss, four deflections, plus nine punt returns for 57 yards) and senior OLB Jon Major (43 tackles, three for loss, one sack), plus junior DE Chidera Uzo-Diribe (24 tackles, eight for loss, six sacks), who is tied for 17th nationally in sacks. Sophomore punter Darragh O’Neill (43.4 avg) is 20th nationally. – courtesy USC sports information
