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The final hours are approaching until the much-anticipated Coach Orgeron era begins. Fresh off a relaxing "rather enjoyable week of practice," the Trojans (3-2,0-2) must take their jovial spirits to the field where it truly matters most.
The Arizona Wildcats (3-1, 0-1) come rolling into town recovering from a punishing bye week of their own after getting manhandled by Bishop Sankey and the Huskies physical rushing attack up in Seattle.
The Trojans will be loaded in the backfield this week with Silas Redd expected to play slated behind redshirt sophomore running back Tre Madden, who has surpassed the 100-yard mark in four of the first five games this season.
Thursday Night Football Promo - USC vs. AZ 2013 (via USCAthletics)
Add to the fact that offensive coordinator Clay Helton will be calling plays for the first time all season and the offense should be in store for a change of tempo and plenty of passing distribution for Cody Kessler under center. Last season Marqise Lee stole the show on offense racking in 385 yards receiving, but remains rather questionable for tonight's tilt.
On defense, Morgan Breslin looks highly unlikely to play battling a nagging injury which means Jabari Ruffin will most likely shoulder a bulk of the load alongside Devon Kennard at the outside linebacker position. Luckily the Trojans are well versed in stopping the dual-threat look, slowing down Chuckie Keeton in the ground game in the last home game and must now slow down Arizona's dual-threat machine in first-year starting quarterback B.J. Denker.
The Trojans take the field with a clean slate looking to emerge from an interesting set of circumstances like a dominant team fans have come to expect. Whatever the result tonight's showing will be micro-managed and thoroughly reviewed on the national stage as the Trojans attempt to capture their first Pac-12 conference victory of the season in primetime.
Game Time, TV channel: 12:00 PM PST Pac-12 Network
Latest Preview: Coach Orgeron, The Shot of Life USC Needs
Latest Odds: Odds Shark Says USC -6.5 and Over/Under 49.5
Viewing Pleasure 7:30 p.m. PST on Fox Sports 1
QUICK REMINDER ON TAILGATING:
Tailgating will be prohibited from Exposition to Jefferson on the north and from Vermont to Figueroa on the east. But south of Exposition down to Martin Luther King Boulevard and from Vermont to Fig, tailgating is allowed. These orders come directly from academic and athletic heads of the university, who want to preserve normal school-like activities.
The university has also closed down school parking lots for the Thursday night game, but plenty of affordable and reliable options are dispersed around the near-campus area to transport fans to the Coliseum. Here is the official USC Website devoted to getting fans in and out of the Coliseum area to witness Coach Orgeron's opening act.
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