With the last Pac-12 football season upon us, USC and Stanford help lead it off with their final matchup as conference foes in Week 2.
The sixth-ranked Trojans have lit up the scoreboard so far and have high expectations for the season, especially while being led by Caleb Williams. Last year’s Heisman Trophy winner, the quarterback is hard to stop even with the best defenses. To assist Williams in a nearly invincible offense are a handful of receivers, including Tahj Washington and freshmen Duce Robinson and Zachariah Branch, who have already scored their first touchdowns at USC.
Giving up a combined 42 points to San Jose State and Nevada, the Trojans’ defense is their Achilles heel, and that’s where Stanford’s David Bailey comes in. The defensive end notched three sacks last week against Hawai’i. Williams is good on his feet, though, so it’s not enough for the Cardinal to apply pressure. They need to score points of their own.
Stanford tight end Ben Yurosek is coming off a career-best night against Hawai’i where he scored a touchdown through nine receptions and 138 yards. By keeping him and other receivers open, Stanford can make way for some deep passes.
The Cardinal’s rushing ability, however, could be the difference-maker. In USC’s season opener, San Jose State out-rushed the Trojans 196 to 160. That indicates Stanford running back E.J. Smith could help cause a little chaos against against the Trojans just like he did last season.
We can even expect to see quarterback Ashton Daniels try his own hand at running the ball. He showed he was capable with 42-rushing yards on 11 carries in his debut against Hawai’i.
MORE: Watch USC vs. Stanford live with Fubo (free trial)
USC is looking for a statement win and its second-straight win over the Cardinal after routing them 41-28 last season.
What channel is USC vs. Stanford on today?
- TV channel: Fox Sports
- Live stream: Fox Sports app, Fubo
USC-Stanford can be watched on Fox Sports or streamed on FoxSports.com, the Fox Sports app and Fubo.
USC vs. Stanford start time
- Date: Saturday, Sept. 9
- Kickoff: 10:30 p.m. ET
The Trojans will kickoff against the Cardinal on Sept. 9 at 10:30 p.m. ET from Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.
USC football schedule 2023
| Date | Opponent | Time (ET)/Result |
| Aug. 26 | vs. San Jose State | W, 56-28 |
| Sept. 2 | vs. Nevada | W, 66-14 |
| Sept. 9 | vs. Stanford* | 10:30 p.m. |
| Sept. 16 | BYE | |
| Sept. 23 | at Arizona State* | TBD |
| Sept. 30 | at Colorado* | TBD |
| Oct. 7 | vs. Arizona* | TBD |
| Oct. 14 | at Notre Dame | 7:30 p.m. |
| Oct. 21 | vs. Utah* | TBD |
| Oct. 28 | at California* | TBD |
| Nov. 4 | vs. Washington* | TBD |
| Nov. 11 | at Oregon* | TBD |
| Nov. 18 | vs. UCLA* | TBD |
*Pac-12 game
Stanford football schedule 2023
| Date | Opponent | Time (ET)/Result |
| Sept. 1 | at Hawai’i | W, 37-24 |
| Sept. 9 | at USC* | 10:30 p.m. |
| Sept. 16 | vs. Sacramento State | 8 p.m. |
| Sept. 23 | vs. Arizona* | TBD |
| Sept. 30 | vs. Oregon* | TBD |
| Oct. 7 | BYE | |
| Oct. 13 | at Colorado* | 10 p.m. |
| Oct. 21 | vs. UCLA* | TBD |
| Oct. 28 | vs. Washington* | TBD |
| Nov. 4 | at Washington State* | TBD |
| Nov. 11 | at Oregon State* | TBD |
| Nov. 18 | vs. California* | TBD |
| Nov. 25 | vs. Notre Dame | TBD |
*Pac-12 game
