It's always dangerous to assess this year's team by how it did last year. But when I look at No. 20 USC's chances against No. 1 Alabama on Saturday (ABC, 8 p.m. ET), I think of how Stanford dominated the line of scrimmage last season, held the ball for 35:42 and rushed for 262 yards against the Trojans in the Pac-12 championship game last December. The Trojans have a young defensive front. The Tide have three returning starters on the offensive line, including Cam Robinson, who might be the best left tackle in the country, not to mention a veteran defensive front.
Beyond the headlines: Notes to guide you through Kickoff Week
