USC vs Stanford: How the 2016 Cardinal Offense Matches Up

USC vs Stanford will pit a Heisman Trophy favorite against Clancy Pendergast and the Trojans’ aggressive defense. Here’s how the Cardinal match up.

Clay Helton and the USC Trojans head north this weekend to open Pac-12 Conference play on the road against the No. 8 Stanford Cardinal.

Fresh off a Pac-12 Championship and victory in last season’s Rose Bowl, the Cardinal are 1-0 on the year.

Head Coach David Shaw’s team opened the season with a 26-13 win against the visiting Kansas State Wildcats back on September 5 before an announced crowd of 46,147 fans.

After securing the win, Stanford began its only bye week of the season, an advantage more than a few Pac-12 teams have enjoyed before facing the Trojans over the last several years.

Shaw’s offense is led by last year’s Heisman Trophy runner-up Christian McCaffrey. McCaffrey is a versatile and multi-talented offensive weapon that can line up in the backfield, or as a slot or wide receiver.

In two meetings with the Trojans last season, the Castle Rock, Colorado native amassed an astounding 710 total yards, and helped punctuate Stanford’s win in the 2015 Pac-12 Championship game by throwing a touchdown pass, while receiving and rushing for two more Stanford scores.

Against Kansas State, the junior running back and son of former Broncos All-Pro receiver Ed McCaffrey, delivered another dominating performance. McCaffrey rushed for 126 yards and two touchdowns on 22 carries, caught seven passes for 40 yards, and gained 44 yards on two punt returns and a kick return.

This year he’ll be supplemented by sophomore Bryce Love, another exciting running back prospect who missed the first game of the season but is expected to emerge as another dangerous big play weapon for the Cardinal.

Helping pave the way for Stanford’s runners is a powerful and experienced offensive line led by junior left tackle Casey Tucker and fifth-year senior guard Johnny Caspers. Stanford’s coaches rely on this veteran unit to provide running lanes for the team’s power rushing attack.

Also along the line are junior tight end Dalton Schultz and his senior teammate Greg Taboada, who will look to continue the school’s rich tradition of skilled receivers and blockers at the position. The relatively unproven duo has combined for just 26 receptions and 368 receiving yards during their collegiate careers, but will look to make a bigger impact starting with Saturday’s game.

After winning Stanford’s quarterback competition this offseason, senior Ryan Burns is charged with distributing the ball to McCaffrey and the other talented weapons at offensive coordinator Mike Bloomgren’s disposal.

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Burns posted a 77.8 percent completion mark against the Wildcat defense in Week 1, completing 14-of-18 attempts. Four of those completions went to senior wideout Michael Rector, another name familiar to Trojan fans, who accounted for 73 of the team’s 167 receiving yards and a touchdown during opening weekend.

Expect Bloomgren to have used Stanford’s well-timed bye week to find new and exotic ways to get the ball to McCaffrey in the open field.

The Trojans will need a repeat of their dominating performance in last week’s 38 point win over Utah State in order to stay with Stanford.

USC defensive coordinator Clancy Pendergast will likely load the box with seven and eight defenders on Saturday to try and stop the Cardinal’s dominant ground attack and force Burns to beat them through the air.

Stanford’s Projected 2-Deep on Offense

Wide Receiver: Michael Rector (RS Sr.) / JJ Arcega-Whiteside (So.)Tight End: Dalton Schultz (Jr.) / Greg Taboada (Sr.)Left Tackle: Casey Tucker (Jr.) / David Bright (Sr.)Left Guard: David Bright (Sr.) / Brandon Fanaika (Jr.)Center: Jesse Burkett (Jr.) / Brian Chaffin (So.)Right Guard: Johnny Caspers (RS Sr.) / Nick Wilson (So.)Right Tackle: A.T. Hall (Jr.) / Jack Dreyer (So.)Wide Receiver: Trenton Irwin (So.) / Taijuan Thomas (Sr.)Quarterback: Ryan Burns (Sr.) / Keller Chryst (Jr.)Running Back:  Christian McCaffrey (Jr.) / Bryce Love (So.)Full Back: Daniel Marx (Jr.) / Reagan William (So.)

USC’s Projected 2-Deep on Defense

Defensive End: Rasheem Green (So.) / Christian Rector (RS Fr.)Nose Tackle: Stevie Tu’ikolovatu (RS Sr.) / Khaliel Rodgers (RS Jr.)Defensive End: Malik Dorton (RS So.) / Josh Fatu (Jr.)Predator: Porter Gustin (So.) / Betiku OR MurphyOutside Linebacker: Uchenna Nwosu (RS So.) / Jabari Ruffin (RS Sr.)*Inside Linebacker: Cameron Smith (So.) / Olajuwon Tucker (Jr.)Inside Linebacker: Michael Hutchings (Sr.) / Quinton Powell (Sr.)Cornerback: Adoree’ Jackson (Jr.) / Lockett OR LangleyCornerback: Iman Marshall (So.) / Harris OR JonesStrong Safety: Chris Hawkins (RS Jr.) OR Leon McQuay (Sr.)Free Safety: Marvell Tell (So.) / Ykili Ross (RS Fr.)