Being in Bristol, Conn., every weekend gives me the chance to see any game in the country, including the West Coast games I could never watch while I was coaching. The Pac-10 continues to impress me with its outstanding talent level and superior coaching.

This weekend's matchup between Oregon State and USC features two teams trying to bounce back from tough seasons in 2001. The Beavers finished 5-6 last year while a loss to Utah in the Las Vegas Bowl dropped the Trojans' final record to 6-6.

Both teams enter this game ranked in the top 25, though, and both will have a say in who comes out on top in the conference. Oregon State snapped a 26-year losing streak against the Trojans two years ago but has not won in Los Angeles since 1960. And because of a scheduling quirk the Beavers are making a second straight trip to the Coliseum, the site of an overtime loss last year that still sticks in their craw. This is also a rare game featuring two former NFL head coaches in OSU's Dennis Erickson and USC's Pete Carroll.

Oregon St. offense vs. USC defense

	Derek Anderson has just one interception in 123 pass attempts this season.

Erickson has always featured a one-back attack, and Steven Jackson has delivered the goods while replacing the departed Ken Simonton at running back. Jackson is averaging 134 yards per game and is very durable. Quarterback Derek Anderson has also been spectacular with his 15 touchdown passes and only one interception. James Newson leads the receiving corps with 22 catches and five touchdowns, and the offensive line is consistent. As a whole, the offense leads the Pac-10 and ranks second in the nation in total yards at 499.8 per game. My only question is the schedule, which has not been very tough with games against team like Eastern Kentucky and Temple.

I look for the Beavers to utilize their zone-blocking scheme with a few misdirection counter-traps to keep the Trojans' active defense off-balance. Anderson will continue to develop his play-action and quick-hitting passing game. One of the only downfalls for OSU has been 43 penalties in the first four games, and the mistakes must be eliminated. Big plays will come if the offense can make first downs and get enough snaps.

On defense, the Trojans have one of the nation's best playmakers in Troy Polamalu. He blocks kicks, forces fumbles, intercepts passes and is a vicious tackler (20 total in the loss to Utah). They also have a big defensive front and their linebackers can run. Carroll is a master of the zone blitz and finds a way to attack offenses. Look for USC to gang up on the run and force Anderson to hit some throws against a pass defense that leads the nation at 108.0 yards per game.

The Trojans have also played a much tougher schedule so far that should help them at home.

USC offense vs. Oregon St. defense

	Sultan McCullough and the running game will have to take some pressure off Carson Palmer.

Carson Palmer is the Trojans' all-time leading passer despite playing under several different offensive coordinators. Now that he has quarterback guru Norm Chow as his teacher, Palmer is developing nicely.

Sultan McCullough has also played solid football at running back and USC will utilize several different formations that include three and four wide receivers. Kelly Colbert, Kareem Kelly and Mike Williams lead a receiving group that had a lot of drops in a 27-20 loss last week at Kansas State and will have to be sharper on Saturday. The offensive line has improved, though, and Chow strives for balance on offense.

I suspect the Trojans will try an early trick play or gadget to make something happen. Also, watch for Michigan transfer Justin Fargas to come back from injury and make some plays.

Oregon State boasts two of the best defenders in the nation with linebacker Richard Seigler and cornerback Dennis Weathersby leading the attack. The Beavers have already forced 16 turnovers in four games.

Their base formation is a 4-3 shell with cover-two in the secondary, but the Beavers will give multiple looks to an offense. This system has been successful for Erickson and has helped two of his former coordinators, Sonny Lubick and Tommy Tuberville, have success as head coaches at Colorado State and Auburn, respectively.

OSU won't mind blitzing USC. If the Trojans can't run the ball, Oregon State will get after Palmer with the rush. The Beavers lead the nation with 11 interceptions, so USC can't afford to get behind and be forced into throwing the ball all the time.

Special teams
The Trojans continue to have punts and field goals blocked, and hidden yardage on punts and kickoff returns favors OSU. Neither team has turned the ball over much, and both have been excellent in the red zone.

This game should be one of the best of the day, with two closely matched teams going down to the wire. It's too tough to call, though, because Oregon State has not yet faced a team like USC and the Trojans are trying to rebound from a tough loss.

ESPN.com college football analyst Jim Donnan will be taking part in chats and making observations on Saturdays as part of College GameDay Online.