USC too sloppy to be heavy favorite

With all the problems surfacing at Southern California, coach Pete Carroll might be rethinking his decision not to return to the NFL after last season.

The Trojans’ empire is beginning to crumble, and that was evident even before their embarrassing loss to Stanford last week.

USC has not hit skid row, but it has issues, one of them being an NCAA investigation into whether former Heisman Trophy-winning running back Reggie Bush received improper benefits.

Since the departures of Bush, quarterback Matt Leinart and offensive coordinator Norm Chow, the Trojans have slipped. The biggest slap in the face was the 24-23 loss to Stanford, which was a 40-point road underdog. It marked the biggest upset in college football history, according to The Gold Sheet’s records dating to 1950.

“I think there are some real structural flaws with this USC team,” The Gold Sheet editor Bruce Marshall said. “You can see a general erosion in the foundation the last few seasons. You can sense the offense is losing a little of its continuity.”

USC quarterback John David Booty broke a finger on his throwing hand last week, when he threw four interceptions. If Booty does not play Saturday against Arizona, as expected, sophomore Mark Sanchez will make his first career start.

The Trojans were ranked No. 1 in the preseason and had three running backs — C.J. Gable, Emmanuel Moody and Chauncey Washington — featured on the cover of Sports Illustrated. Gable is out for the year with an injury, and Moody transferred to Florida.

Marshall said the Trojans have been too sloppy, committing 24 penalties in the past two games, to deserve being 21-point favorites.

Arizona also has struggled, going 2-4 straight up and 1-4 against the spread. But Marshall said quarterback Willie Tuitama has displayed a better grasp of the spread offense and the Wildcats are capable of covering the big spread.

“Arizona blows hot and cold, but it’s going to be a tough game,” Marshall said. “That is just too many points.”

Marshall (goldsheet.com) analyzes his other plays for Saturday (home team in CAPS):

• Virginia Tech (-14) over DUKE — The Blue Devils have covered five games in a row. There are few extended point-spread streaks this season, and this is an exception, but this week it should end for Duke. The Hokies’ defense is coming on, and it will put pressure on Blue Devils quarterback Thaddeus Lewis.

Virginia Tech shut down the Blue Devils 36-0 and 45-0 the past two seasons. Freshman quarterback Tyrod Taylor is starting to make plays for the Hokies.

• New Mexico (+31/2) over WYOMING — The Lobos can win this game, and they have been formful under coach Rocky Long. New Mexico is 11-4 as a road underdog since 2004 and has won in its last three trips to Laramie. This is Long’s spot getting points on the road.

The Cowboys are playing better defense, but they are 2-5-1 in their past eight home games in Mountain West Conference play.

• OREGON (-18) over Washington State — The Cougars probably emptied their chamber last week, giving an extreme effort in a 23-20 home loss to Arizona State. The situation is deteriorating at Washington State, and it looks as if coach Bill Doba won’t be back next year.

Ducks coach Mike Bellotti has been a good value lately at home, covering nine of 12. The Cougars blitzed Arizona State quarterback Rudy Carpenter last week, but if they do that against the Ducks’ Dennis Dixon, they will get burned.

Washington State has allowed an average of 45.7 points per game on the road.

Contact reporter Matt Youmans at myoumans@reviewjournal.com or (702) 387-2907.