USC Athletics

No. 5 USC Trojans (3-0, 1-0) at California Golden Bears (3-0, 0-0)

California Memorial Stadium in Berkeley at 12:30 p.m. PT on ABC

Bear to Watch: Senior LB Devante Downs

The reigning Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Week earned his recognition by making 14 tackles, including three for loss, in the win over Ole Miss last Saturday. He grabbed the same award in week one after 13 tackles on the road at UNC. He has also accounted for 3 sacks, 2 forced fumbles and 2 interceptions through three games. Under the tutelage of head coach Justin Wilcox (formerly USC's defensive coordinator) and defensive coordinator Tim DeRuyter (formerly Fresno State head coach), Downs has led a defensive revolution in Berkeley. The Bears gave up 42.6 points per game last season (worst in the Pac-12), but they are holding teams to 22.0 points per game in 2017 (5th in the Pac-12).

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3 Keys

Reestablish Dominance

The Trojans were developing a reputation as the bullies on the block before getting knocked back by the Texas front last week. USC racked up 232 rush yards against Western Michigan, 307 more against Stanford, and then only 71 in the win over the Longhorns. Ronald Jones II tallied a career-high 223 yards on the ground in this matchup last year, and now he has freshman Stephen Carr as a running mate. USC's 1-2 punch is key to taking the pressure off the developing receiving corps, which should get a nice boost this week from the return of Michael Pittman Jr.

Road Warriors

Life on the road is tough enough, but the Trojans are showing up in Berkeley already bandaged and bruised. USC's injury list this week included Jones II, OLB Porter Gustin, OLB Uchenna Nwosu, DL Rasheem Green, WR Steven Mitchell, RT Chuma Edoga, CB Ajene Harris and many more. Cal won't feel sorry for the Trojans. USC head coach Clay Helton has more confidence in the depth of this year's team than last year's squad, so he is counting on the second unit to plug any leaks sprung by the physical toll of the first three games.

Wilcox Effect

New coaches always bring new enthusiasm, but Justin Wilcox has made an instant impact in Berkeley. The Bears have a renewed belief, building a reputation as a second half team. They were down 17-7 in Chapel Hill before a 28-7 spurt put that victory away. And the last two weeks, Cal has shut out its opponents in the second half (36-0) after early game struggles. Wilcox will hope for a cagey affair, keeping the Trojans within arms reach, and then stealing a signature win late in front of an enthusiastic home crowd. USC will need to keep its foot on the gas for 60 minutes to emerge unscathed.