The Breakdown: No. 21 Colorado at USC

Head Coach

Mike MacIntyre has done something he's never done in his 4 seasons at Colorado: Win two conference games in the PAC 12. His overall record in the PAC 12 is now 4-25, but all that matters for now is the fact that he's turned around Colorado Football having the Buffs ranked in the Top 25 for the first time since 2005.

2nd Year Head USC Football Coach Clay Helton is 8-7 in his second year with the Trojans. After a 1-3 start fans were calling for his job, that was before USC defeated unbeaten ASU 41-20. Helton has been with the Program since 2010 and served as the team's QB and OC before taking over for Steven Sarkisian in 2015.

Buffs

Offensive Coordinator

The Buffs have two Offensive Coordinators in Brian Lindgren who calls the plays from the box and Darrin Chiaverini who is down on the field. The duo has been fantastic to start the year, Colorado is averaging 43.2 ppg and the offense is averaging 531.2 yards per game. Very dangerous tandem, only getting better and better.

Tee Martin has been at USC for five seasons. His previous roles included the receivers coach and pass game coordinator before being named the OC in 2015. The Trojans are scoring 25.8 ppg, the WR's continue to shine under Martin, their biggest offensive threat. Martin has a ton of experience.

Draw

Defensive Coordinator

Jim Leavitt is in his second year as Colorado's DC and is making a tremendous impact. The Buffs have forced 18 turnovers in 18 games, a streak that leads the entire nation. Colorado's defense is allowing just 20.6 ppg and is holding opposing offenses to just 290.4-yards per game. He's a big time land for CU.

USC's Defensive Coordinator Clancy Pendergast was the DC for the Trojans in 2013, then was the 49ers Linebackers' Coach before returning to his post at USC in 2016. Currently USC is giving up 376.2 yards per play, which is impressive considering USC has played three Top 25 teams already.

Buffs

Quarterback

RS-Freshman Steven Montez will listed as the starter on the depth chart. He's is 48 of 76 passing for 743-yards and 8 TDs. Senior Sefo Liufau is questionable with an ankle injury, he's 54 of 76 passing for 768-yards and 6 TDs. Each has already been named the PAC 12 Offensive Player of the Week this season.

Freshman Sam Darnold was exceptional last week against ASU passing for 23 of 33 for 352-yards and 3 TDs. Max Browne has played in 4 out of 5 games this year and is 55 of 89 passing for 488-yards with 2 touchdowns. It's likely that Darnold will face the Buffs Saturday.

Buffs

Running Backs

None of Colorado's running backs have ripped off a 100-yard game this season, Phillip Lindsay leads the team in rushing with 338-yards of 70 carries and 6 TDs. Sophomore Kyle Evans a former walk on has rushed for 218-yards of 52 carries and 2 touchdowns. Lindsay is their home run threat.

USC is rushing for 145-yards per game this year, Justin Davis is their main man. This year he's rushed for 384-yards off 61 carries (6.3 average) and has scored 2 touchdowns. Ronald Jones II has carried the football 36 times for 169-yards and has 2 scores. Davis can go the distance on any play.

Draw

Fullbacks

Tight Ends

Colorado has not thrown much to their tight ends much this year or even used a fullback. Dylan Keeney and Chris Bounds each have a reception this season, Chris Hill another tight end caught a TD against Idaho State. Also watch for Sean Irwin at 6-3, 250 pounds.

The Trojans are similar to the Buffs in terms: they do not use their tight end other than for blocking. 6-foot-5, 245 pound Taylor McNamara has caught for 4 receptions for 36-yards. McNamara has looked very good on film in blocking assignments.

Trojans

Receivers

Colorado's receivers have been human highlight reels this season. Devin Ross has caught for 26 receptions for 364-yards and 5 TDs, Shay Fields has caught for 19 receptions for 460-yards, and 5 TDS, and Bryce Bobo has hauled in 17 passes for 268-yards and 1 TD. Each of those three has a reception that has went for over 50-yards.

JuJu Smith-Schuster is one of the best in the Conference, this year he's caught for 26 passes for 239-yards and 5 touchdowns. At 6-2, 220 pounds he causes mismatches. Darreus Rogers at 6-1, 215 is another big WR that makes plays as well as Deontay Burnett.

Buffs

Offensive Line

Colorado's top OL this year has been tackle Jeromy Irwin who has started in all 5 games with 13 knockdowns, Alex Kelley is a veteran Center, Gerrard Kough has been strong at guard with 5 knockdowns, RS Freshman Tim Lynott has played in 315 snaps with 9 touchdown blocks, and RS Freshman Aaron Haigler has got a good amount of recent PT.

At tackle watch for 6-4, 290 pound Chuma Edoga, 6-2, 315 pound guard Viane Talamaivao who is outstanding, Nico Falah at 6-4, 280 is their center, Damien Mama at 6-4, 325 pounds is another one of their high talented guards, and also at tackle is 6-6, 310 pound Chad Wheeler at left tackle. Their two guards are among the best in the entire conference.

Trojans

Defensive Line

For Colorado 6-2, 300 pound Jordan Carrell has played in 228 plays recorded 21 tackles and 2 sacks, 6-4, 295 pound Samson Kafovalu also has 21 tackles and 2 sacks, 6-3, 325 pound Josh Tupou has 20 tackles and 1 quarterback sack. Each of their impact DL are seniors this season.

Watch for DE Porter Gustin at 6-5, 240, he has 34 tackles this year which is 2nd on the team. Stevie Ts’ikolovatu is a 6-1, 320 pound DT that has 20 tackles, Rasheem Green at 6-5, 280 pounds has 19 tackles, and 6-3, 290 Josh Fatu has 10 tackles. As a team USC has 8 sacks this season.

Buffs

Linebackers

Kenneth Olugbode leads the team in tackles this year with 49 and has 1 sack. Rick Gamboa has 35 tackles including 5 3rd down stops, Jimmie Gilbert has 17 tackles and leads the team in sacks with 4, Addison Gillam has 17 tackles playing in just 85 snaps.

USC's leading tackler is 6-4, 245 pound Cameron Smith who has 45 tackles. Michael Hutchings at 6-1, 215 pounds has 27 tackles, 3 for loss, and 6-3, 235 pound Uchenna Nwosu has 17 tackles and one loss. Very athletic group that gets to the football on every play.

Trojans

Defensive Backs

Senior Chidobe Awuzie has 22 tackles and 7 3rd down stops, Senior Safety Tedric Thompson has 25 tackles and 7 pass breakups, Senior Ahkello Witherspoon has 7 pass breakups, and Afolabi Laguda is one of the hardest hitters on the team. It's a very experienced group that makes plays, biggest test coming this weekend against USC.

Adoree’ Jackson is the team's best athlete, he has 21 tackles and 1 interception. Sophomore Marshall Inman has 21 tackles and 1 Int, Sophomore Marvell Tel II has 20 tackles, Chris Hawkins has 19 tackles, and Leon McQuay III has 15 tackles and 1 Int this year.

Buffs

Special Teams

Alex Kinney is the team's punter, he has a average per punt of 42.6, last week freshman FG kicker Davis Price hit a 54-yarder, kicker returner is freshman Anthony Julmisse, and punt returner is Jay MacIntyre who has an average return of 10.3-yards.

Punter Chris Tilbey has an average punt of 38.5-yards, Matt Boermeester is 8-11 in FG's and an amazing 6-7 between 40-49-yards. Adoree' Jackson has returned a punt 77-yards for a TD and also returned a kick 100-yards for a TD this season. .

Trojans

PPG

43.2 per game

25.8 per game

Buffs

Total Yards

531.2 per game

391.6 per game

Buffs

Rushing Yards

218.6 per game

145.8 per game

Buffs

Pass Yards

312.6 per game

245.8 per game

Buffs

Total Yards Allowed

1,452 (290.4)

1,881 (376.2) per game

Buffs

1st Downs

133 (26.6)

102 (20.4) per game

Buffs

3rd Downs

39/79 (49%)

24/66 (36%)

Buffs

4th Downs

3/6 (50%)

3/7 (43%)

Buffs

Time of Poss

33:06 per game

27:55 per game

Buffs

Penalties

26/220

33-270

Buffs

No. of 4 or 5 star commitments

2

8

Trojans

National Recruiting Class Ranking by Rivals.com

27th

17th

Trojans