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Southern Cal-Stanford Preview

Oct 5, 2010 - 10:11 PM By BRETT HUSTON STATS Senior Writer

No. 24 USC (4-1) at No. 21 Stanford (4-1), 8:00 p.m. EDT

Stanford coach Jim Harbaugh's decision to go for two points during a blowout of Southern California last season prompted one simple question from then-USC coach Pete Carroll - and an identical response from Harbaugh - during their postgame handshake.

"What's your deal?"

Carroll won't be around for the rematch, but that's exactly what Harbaugh and first-year coach Lane Kiffin are asking their suddenly porous defenses.

Defensive breakdowns plagued the 16th-ranked Cardinal and the Trojans in losses last weekend, problems both teams will be eager to fix Saturday night at Stanford Stadium as USC seeks to avenge its worst defeat in 43 years.

There were a few breakthroughs for Stanford in 2009, Harbaugh's third season at the helm, but a Nov. 14 win at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum was the highlight of a season that ended the program's eight-year bowl drought.

The Cardinal ran all over the Trojans behind star senior Toby Gerhart, compiling 325 yards on the ground in a 55-21 win that was USC's worst loss since falling 51-0 to Notre Dame in 1966.

The aftermath of Gerhart's third and final touchdown run sparked the controversy USC's program isn't likely to forget. With a 48-21 lead midway through the fourth quarter, Harbaugh opted for a two-point conversion.

Carroll's postgame questioning of Harbaugh's failed tactic was met with a word-for-word response. He later expounded upon his decision.

"I just honestly thought there was an opportunity coming off the ball, the way our backs were running and the way we were playing," Harbaugh said.

Carroll left to coach the NFL's Seattle Seahawks, leaving Harbaugh's team an opening to become the Pac-10's newest power.

After averaging 48.0 points through its first four games, it looked like Stanford (4-1, 1-1) was headed in that direction as it carried its No. 9 ranking - the program's highest since 1992 - into Autzen Stadium last Saturday night.

Then-No. 4 Oregon was one of three teams that boasted a higher scoring offense than the Cardinal, and it came to life after an ugly first quarter. Andrew Luck lifted Stanford to a 21-3 lead after 15 minutes, but Oregon responded with three quarters of dominance, compiling 626 yards in a 52-31 win.

"I'm proud of my guys, very proud of them, and we'll keep our heads up, and we'll come back next week," Harbaugh said. "Wasn't our day today."

Kiffin could say the same for his Trojans (4-1, 1-1) last Saturday. He witnessed his first loss on the USC sidelines, as Washington's Jake Locker accounted for 421 yards of offense - part of his team's total of 537 - in a 32-31 win at the Coliseum that was sealed with a 32-yard field goal as time expired.

"We had so many opportunities to finish the game out," Kiffin said, lamenting his team's inability to find the end zone on its two fourth-quarter possessions. "If you're going to be a championship team, you have to finish people off when you have the ball."

Like Harbaugh, Kiffin is no stranger to controversial decisions on the field. He had the Trojans go for two after eight of their first 21 touchdowns this season, though he trotted kicker Joe Houston out after all four scores against the Huskies.

"We're not really in position to throw stones at people that go for two," Kiffin said when asked about Harbaugh's move in last season's meeting.

Both coaches could find themselves with more chances to go for two Saturday.

Luck has accounted for 15 touchdowns - 13 through the air - while completing 62.8 percent of his throws, and he'll likely have a great chance to shine against USC. The Trojans are 116th in the nation against the pass, allowing 288.0 yards per game, and 99th in total defense (419.0).

Luck threw for two TDs and ran for another against USC last season.

Highly touted Trojans quarterback Matt Barkley has impressed with 12 TDs and the Pac-10's highest passer rating. Still, USC may want to stick to the ground against Stanford - particularly considering Barkley was intercepted three times in last season's meeting - as the Cardinal are 84th in the FBS against the run (169.0).

USC's Allen Bradford tops the nation with 9.8 yards per carry. The senior had career highs of 21 carries and 223 yards last Saturday.

Stanford has lost its last four home games in the series by an average of 24.8 points.