USC-Stanford Capsule

WHAT'S AT STAKE

One of the toughest road tests of the year for USC and Heisman hopeful Matt Barkley, who has beaten every Pac-12 Conference team but is 0-3 against Stanford. The Cardinal no longer have Andrew Luck, though that hasn't stopped them from an upset before. Stanford has won four of the last five against the Trojans, and often in dramatic fashion.

KEY MATCHUP

USC receivers Robert Woods and Marqise Lee vs. Stanford's secondary. Cardinal coach David Shaw called Woods and Lee the best college combo he's ever seen and it's "not even close." The All-American Woods has 16 receptions for 134 yards and four touchdowns and Lee has 21 receptions for 263 yards and four touchdowns already this season. The Cardinal start two new starting safeties, Ed Reynolds and Jordan Richards, and returning cornerbacks Terrence Brown and Barry Browning struggled against the Trojans tandem in last year's 56-48 triple-overtime thriller.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

USC C Khaled Holmes, or more likely, his replacement. The fifth-year senior left last week's victory over Syracuse on a cart with a right leg injury and his status against Stanford is uncertain. Holmes leads the protection and running scheme for the offensive line along with Barkley, who was not sacked by Stanford last season. If Holmes can't play, redshirt freshman Cyrus Hobb is expected to take his spot.