RICE AT No. 14 USC

When: Saturday, 3 p.m.

Where: Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum

TV/radio: Pac-12 Network/AM 790

Line: USC -33

Notable injuries: Rice: N/A; USC: OUT: TE Jude Wolfe (foot)

What’s at stake? For USC, a win is expected, but still necessary to continue the wave of momentum the Trojans have been riding since the hiring of Lincoln Riley in November. USC has benefited from the hire in recruiting and in terms of energizing the fan base. A win over the Owls would continue that wave of good vibes, whereas a loss would stop the momentum in its tracks and instead cause some cracks to show in USC’s facade. For Rice, a win would give the program a needed shot in the arm as the team searches for its first .500 season since 2014.

Who’s better? Sure, technically, both teams are coming off dismal 4-8 seasons. But USC spent the off-season adding a bonafide coaching staff, blue-chip freshmen and the nation’s top-rated transfer recruiting class. It’s USC by a long shot, as evidenced by the four-plus-touchdown spread.

Matchup to watch: The Rice offensive line vs. the USC pass rush. The Owls return a lot of experience pieces to their offensive line and this will be a good test for the Trojans’ front four and whether they can put pressure on quarterback Wylie Green on a reliable basis. Tuli Tuipulotu and a combination of Romello Height and Korey Foreman on the edges should give USC the advantage, but Rice should put up a good fight.

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USC wins if: The Trojans don’t turn the ball over, score early and often in the first half and don’t allow Rice any kind of momentum to let the Owls’ belief take root.

Prediction: USC 45, Rice 14. The Trojans’ collection of talent should be just too much for the Owls. The real question is how quickly does USC put Rice out of reach, and how much playing time does that allow for the second team and freshmen like Raleek Brown and C.J. Williams to get some on-field college experience.