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Southern California looks to keep rolling

Oct 18, 2008 - 10:17 AM (4) Southern California (4-1) at Washington State (1-6), 3:30 pm EDT

PULLMAN, Washington (Ticker) -- Keep the women and children away from this one - it could get real ugly.

Fourth-ranked Southern California visits Washington State on Saturday in what shapes up as a classic Pac-10 Conference mismatch.

This is the Trojans' first trip to the Pacific Northwest since their 27-21 loss at Oregon State on September 25.

But USC's national championship hopes are very much alive again, as the Trojans (4-1, 2-1 Pac-10) took advantage of losses by Oklahoma, Missouri and Louisiana State - the top three teams in last week's coaches' poll - to climb five spots.

USC's offense was erratic in last week's 28-0 win over Arizona State, committing five turnovers.

Quarterback Mark Sanchez was limited in practice after sustaining a bone bruise in USC's 44-10 win over Oregon two weeks ago. It showed in Sanchez's performance, as he finished just 13-of-26 for 179 yards and three interceptions.

"He wasn't as solid as he could be," USC coach Pete Carroll said. "I think it's incredible that he played, to tell you the truth. He got back, gave the team a lift, and fought his way through (the injury). This guy has been a hero at coming back."

Sanchez figures to get stronger with another week of practice, and the Trojans may look to run up the score against the defensively-challenged Cougars to impressive the pollsters. USC has been established as a 42-point favorite.

Washington State's defense has been a nightmare. The Cougars (1-6, 0-4) are coming of a 66-13 loss at Oregon State, the third time they have allowed more than 60 points this season.

To make matters worse, Washington State has lost freshman quarterback Marshall Lobbestael, who is out for the season after tearing his left anterior cruciate and medial collateral ligaments in the defeat at Oregon State.

Lobbestael completed only 6-of-16 for 72 yards before getting knocked out of the game. He was replaced by freshman Dan Wagner, the Cougars' fourth signal-caller to see action this season.

Quarterbacks Gary Rogers (cervical spine fracture) and Kevin Lopina (shoulder bruise) suffered injuries earlier in the season. Lopina, who has missed three games, is expected to return against USC.

Things got so bad for Washington State that new coach Paul Wulff held an open tryout last week to find a scout-team quarterback on campus.