USC inside linebacker Cameron Smith vs. Arizona quarterback Khalil Tate: If there’s one thing the USC defense should be able to count on, it’s sound linebacker play, particularly in the middle with Smith, their senior captain. Smith entered this season as a first-team All-American candidate, and a matchup with Tate, a preseason Heisman Trophy candidate, will provide him a prime opportunity to show what he can do. Thus far, Arizona has not been employing Tate in the running game, and it’s anybody’s guess whether that is a schematic change or because of his ankle injury. Smith’s challenge will be to still respect Tate’s running ability in the read-option game with running back J.
USC at Arizona: A look at how the teams match up
