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Arizona-Southern Cal Preview

Dec 4, 2009 - 4:04 PM By KATE HEDLIN STATS Writer

Arizona (7-4) at No. 18 USC (8-3), 3:30 p.m. EDT

While a victory by Southern California in its regular season finale won't compensate for failing to win a Pac-10 title, the Trojans still have much riding on the outcome of Saturday's game.

The No. 20 Trojans look to win their eighth straight over Arizona as they try to tie for second place in the conference and improve their chances for a better bowl game.

Disappointing USC (8-3, 5-3) will finish with its lowest win total since going 6-6 in 2001, and won't win its eighth straight conference title or make a BCS bowl.

The Trojans, though, are coming off Saturday's 28-7 victory over UCLA and looking to strengthen their postseason position. They certainly didn't appear disinterested as Matt Barkley passed for a 48-yard score with 44 seconds left in response to the Bruins calling time out with USC attempting to run out the clock.

"It is just the heart of a competitor, just battling," coach Pete Carroll said. "We just wanted to win the game and have fun. When the moment was there, it wasn't thinking about what (others) might be thinking. You are either competing, or you're not."

Allen Bradford rushed for two touchdowns and Barkley went 18 of 26 for 206 yards - his best yardage total in five games.

"They can't disrespect us like that," Barkley said.

USC has not lost to Arizona since a 31-15 home defeat in 2000. The Trojans won 17-10 at Tucson last Oct. 25.

USC was still in the national championship picture in that game, but the Trojans are now fighting just to finish tied for second in the Pac-10. They could end up falling as low as sixth if they lose to the Wildcats, or earn the No. 2 spot with a win.

Despite its losing streak in the series, Arizona has made the recent meetings close. In the first three matchups after Mike Stoops took over in 2004, Arizona was outscored 111-33. The last two, however, were each decided by a touchdown.

Arizona avoided a third straight loss with a 20-17 victory over Arizona State last Saturday. The Wildcats, who fell in double overtime to then-No. 11 Oregon the week before, won on Alex Zendejas' 32-yard field goal as time expired.

"This has been a hard stretch for us," Stoops said. "I think that win goes a long way in giving us momentum going into this game to end the season."

Arizona will look for a better offensive performance this weekend after being limited to 265 yards - its second-lowest total of the season. Nick Foles passed for 148 yards, the third time in four games he was held below 200. He injured his non-throwing hand but is expected to play Saturday.

Making matters worse, Arizona will be without starting tailback Nic Grigsby, who did not play against ASU due to a sprained shoulder. He has rushed for a team-high 559 yards and five touchdowns.

Arizona could also finish as high as tied for second and as low as sixth in the conference.

"I think it would just get tremendous respect for our program, and it would show our hard work in the offseason has paid off," guard Vaughn Dotsy said. "We're not going to the Rose Bowl, but still to beat USC, it's still a national powerhouse. They have a lot of talented athletes there."

USC leads the series 26-6.