Colorado (1-5, 1-2 Pac-12) at No. 11 USC (5-1, 3-1) 6 p.m. (Pac-12 Networks)
Line: USC by 40½.
Series Record: USC leads 6-0.
WHAT'S AT STAKE
After playing one home game in the previous 48 days, USC returns to the Coliseum looking to stay in the races for the Pac-12 and national titles. Lowly Colorado and its porous defense could provide a tonic for QB Matt Barkley and the USC offense, which has been far from spectacular in recent weeks.
KEY MATCHUP
Colorado LT David Bakhtiari vs. USC DE Morgan Breslin. Bakhtiari might be the Buffaloes' best player, but his ability to protect QB Jordan Webb will be tested by JUCO transfer Breslin, who already has seven sacks and 12 tackles for loss in a spectacular half-season for the Trojans.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Colorado: WR Nelson Spruce. The redshirt freshman is the Buffaloes' leading receiver with 27 catches for 291 yards, and his 6-foot-2 reach could pose problems for USC's compact secondary.
USC: WR Robert Woods. The All-American junior needs just five more receptions to surpass Dwayne Jarrett (216) as USC's leading receiver. Given coach Lane Kiffin's awareness of statistical milestones, there's little doubt Woods will get the chance to make history against the Buffs.
FACTS & FIGURES
With 96 career TD passes, Barkley is just three TDs behind Matt Leinart for the career records at USC and in conference history. ... Colorado is facing a ranked opponent for the first time this season. The Buffaloes have lost 18 straight road games against ranked teams since beating UCLA at the Rose Bowl in 2002. ... The Buffaloes haven't been to the Coliseum since 2000. Their first visit was in 1927. ... USC is going after its 300th October victory. ... The Trojans will honor their 1972 national championship team. ... The Buffaloes have 34 players from California, while USC has no players from Colorado.
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