Marquise Lee is averaging 35 yards per kickoff return, which could give Southern Cal an edge on special teams against Stanford on Saturday. (US Presswire)

No. 2 USC (2-0, 0-0 Pac-12) at No. 21 Stanford (2-0, 0-0 Pac-12)

Kickoff: Saturday, 7:30 p.m. ET (Fox)

Spread: USC by 8

Watchability: Immense. The Trojans’ offense is quickly becoming one of the most exciting in recent years, if touchdowns are your thing. Matt Barkley just keeps tossing them. Now, he has one more chance to get his first win against the Cardinal.

Shining stars: USC: Barkley is off to the exact start that he needed to stay near the top of the Heisman race. His 10 touchdowns through two games has him on a crazy pace, and it still feels like he can do more. Once the USC running game takes off and relieves some of the pressure, his numbers will get even loftier, and that’s scary. Stanford: The vaunted Stanford running game, the secret strength that allowed Andrew Luck to master the play-action, has been quiet this season. Stepfan Taylor is averaging a decent 92.5 yards per game but the Cardinal ground game is averaging just 123.5 yards per game. One big Taylor run can turn things around.

Who could steal the show: USC: Linebacker Dion Bailey has been key for the Trojans, but he’ll need to improve on his already good production. His 7.5 tackles per game pace USC, but his two interceptions have been impressive, and Josh Nunes will have to be on the lookout over the middle. Stanford: Punt returner Drew Terrell had a 75-yard return for a touchdown in the win over Duke. Terrell has great vision, and the Trojans have been prone to momentary lapses in the past.

You going? Ranking the road trip: This is the game of the early Pac-12 schedule, and if not for the game, the wacky Stanford band is an attraction worth seeing. And throw in Barkley's trying to knock off the Cardinal for the first time in his career? A must-see.

Magic number for USC: 35. Sometimes loss in the majesty of Marqise Lee’s receiving abilities is his ability to change a game with a single kick return. He leads  the Pac-12 with a 35.0 return average and in a tight game, one big return flips the field position.

Magic number for Stanford: 54. The Cardinal have been stuffing the run well, allowing just 54 yards. If they can keep Curtis McNeal and Silas Redd contained, they’ll have a shot against Barkley.

This game comes down to: Barkley. He stayed in school while Andrew Luck went pro, and he did so to win a national championship. The march begins in earnest against Stanford. [To read Eye on College Football's keys to the USC/Stanford game, click here.]

Prediction: USC 34, Stanford 24

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