TUCSON, Ariz. -- Talk about role reversal.
Typically by this time of the season, Arizona is the team sputtering and gasping for what might be a minor bowl game appearance come December, while USC is the team floating among the best programs in the country, living the life in the top 10.
But with Arizona 5-0 and USC at 3-2, the Pac-12 is a bit upside down this season.
USC's offense is taking criticism; its defense, considered its strong suit, is taking a beating. When you're the Trojans and one of the more talented teams in the Pac-12, a 3-2 record is a puzzler. Still, they're the Trojans, a team that has dominated Arizona through the years -- and perhaps that explains how the oddsmakers in Las Vegas have established an unranked team as a slight favorite playing on the road against the No. 10 team in this week's AP poll.
USC is 28-8 all-time vs. the Wildcats and 11-4 in Tucson, winning six of the past eight at Arizona Stadium.
Saturday could be different. Arizona is coming off a shocking win at Oregon against a Ducks team that was ranked No. 2 at the time. USC is coming off a last-second, Hail-Mary loss to Arizona State in a game in which it gave up three touchdowns and a pair of nine-point leads with less than four minutes to play. Plus, Arizona could be helped by its first sold-out stadium of this season.
"What I told the players is that it shouldn't matter who we are playing. Play really hard on every snap," Rodriguez said. "Without question -- a sold-out crowd, USC on national TV -- there is probably a little extra juice involved."
Arizona senior running back Terris Jones-Grigsby said the season hasn't met expectations just yet.
"It's obviously going well right now, but there are still a lot of games to be played," he said.
USC at No. 10 ARIZONA
When: 7:30 p.m. Saturday
Where: Arizona Stadium
TV: ESPN2 (Dave Pasch, Brian Griese)
WHAT TO WATCH
Tyrell Johnson: No one is faster on Arizona, and he's developed into a threat on kick returns. Once he becomes more confident in catching passes, he'll be a huge threat for Arizona. He's exciting to watch.
Cayleb Jones: With all due respect to senior Austin Hill, Jones is Arizona's new star at wide receiver. The Wildcats have a bunch of talented receivers, but when it comes to deep threat or a big catch, Arizona seemingly goes to Jones, a Texas transfer who leads the team in receptions (32) and touchdowns (six).
USC's talent: It is arguably the most talented team in the conference -- but not the deepest -- and it's clearly not playing that way under first-year USC coach Steve Sarkisian. They have only 75 players on scholarship, but virtually all are blue-chippers. With guys like DE Leonard Williams and receiver Nelson Agholor, the Trojans are plenty dangerous.
• A win would make Arizona bowl-eligible.
• Arizona has outscored opponents 125-63 in the second half, but just 74-70 in the first half.
• Arizona safety Tra'Mayne Bondurant, back in the coaching staff's good graces after a preseason suspension, has had a major impact in the past two games. He seems to find a way of being at the right place at right time, wherever that place may be.
Samajie Grant, WR, Arizona: It wouldn't be surprising to see Arizona go to its possession receiver a bunch. The Wildcats didn't last week because they concentrated on the ground game. Arizona should use both this weekend. Grant is Arizona's best at moving the chains in the middle.
Anu Solomon, QB, Arizona: He's been nothing short of spectacular, especially in the second half, in which he's connecting on more than 70 percent of his passes. He has a refuse-to-lose attitude but rarely shows it in public. He'll have to do it again vs. the Trojans.
Leonard Williams, DL, USC: The Trojans' All-America defensive end, a sure-fire first-round draft pick, could give Arizona's offensive line fits. Last week he had 12 tackles against ASU.
INJURY REPORT
Arizona -- Questionable: OL Cayman Bundage (knee), RB Nick Wilson (ankle). Out: LB DeAndre' Miller (shoulder).
USC -- Out: WR Ajene Harris (hamstring).
Had this been written four weeks ago, the circumstances would have been different. But it's been a crazy year so far. Arizona can move the football on anybody; when its defense plays tough, it can beat anybody. Can the Wildcats do it again, on back-to-back weeks against marquee opponents? Arizona has a history of playing poorly after a big win, but given all the factors at play, it doesn't seem likely here.
PREDICTION
Arizona 41, USC 38
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