 "Photo: Steevens Alconcel | Daily Trojan")
The Washington Huskies will don throwback jerseys this weekend against USC that are patterned after the ones worn by its 1960 counterparts. Washington hopes some of that team's luck will rub off.
The Huskies drilled the Trojans 34-0 that year on their way to a national championship.
But recent history favors the Trojans, as USC (3-0, 1-0 Pac-10) has won its last five games against Washington (2-2, 0-1) entering Saturday's conference road opener at Husky Stadium at 5 p.m.
"I don't know if there's a lot more that can be added to their resume," Washington coach Tyrone Willingham said. "They've been at the top of the polls for what seems like forever now."
The series might not be as lopsided as recent records indicate.
Last season, Isaiah Stanback was leading a drive downfield when time expired, before he could call one last play. The Huskies lost 28-22.
And even though the upcoming game will be in Washington, Saturday marks the six-year anniversary of the last USC loss in the Coliseum, when the Trojans fell to a Stanford team coached by none other than Willingham.
USC coach Pete Carroll is making sure his team doesn't sleepwalk into Seattle.
"This is a game in a difficult stadium. It's a difficult setting up there," Carroll said. "Their crowd was cranking early in the year. I'm sure they'll be just as jacked and loaded up for us coming up there."
Redshirt freshman quarterback Jake Locker has taken over for Stanback this season and will look to re-animate the Huskies after two losses.
Carroll said the Washington offense has remained true to last year's form but with a few new wrinkles added to feature Locker's athleticism.
"It's very much the same style of offense as last year with some additional things that they've done," Carroll said. "It's a lot to put on a kid, but this is a very, very, very unique kid."
Carroll has been outspoken all week about his praise of Locker. After watching Washington's first four games, Carroll immediately realized the threat that the Huskies' leading passer and rusher posed.
"He's not a normal freshman out there playing," Carroll said. "The guy just does everything."
With a few players sitting out due to injury, the Trojans' starting defense will feature some new faces in its effort to contain Locker and the rest of the Washington offense.
Sophomore Cornerback Shareece Wright will start in place of Cary Harris, whom doctors declared wasn't ready to play after dislocating his shoulder against Washington State.
Senior Thomas Williams will make his first start at linebacker since the 2005 season - he started two games at fullback last year - in place of Brian Cushing, who is out with a sprained ankle.
Junior linebacker Clay Matthews, who started for Cushing against Washington State, is suffering from a broken thumb and an injured shoulder but is expected to be ready Saturday.
The Huskies defense is also ailing, but not from injuries. In last week's 44-31 loss to UCLA, Washington allowed the Bruins to rush for 333 yards on 51 carries.
Willingham is searching for quick answers in anticipation of USC, which boasts the nation's 10th-best running game.
"We want to put a lid on the running game first," Willingham said.
The prospect of rain doesn't concern Carroll, who jokingly said he would consider having the team practice on a field with sprinklers to prepare for such weather. USC faced early showers in last week's game against Washington State.
"I'm sure Tyrone is looking for rain, and we are too," Carroll said. "Since we played so well here in the rain last week in L.A., we feel like we're well prepared."
