Orange County Register

Twice this season, Stanford has taken advantage of the post-USC letdown. Cardinal coach Jim Harbaugh explains:

“We have been fortunate as a football team to play the team that beat USC the week after they beat them. There (is) something to that — I can’t measure that or quantify that — but that’s definitely been a good thing for Stanford football.”

There is a natural, massive emotional letdown for teams after big, fans-storming-the-field victories — e.g., Washington over USC on Sept. 19 and Oregon over USC on Oct. 31.

The Cardinal thumped the Huskies on Sept. 26, 34-14, and of course upset the Ducks this past Saturday.

Stanford shouldn’t have any such advantage this week. Despite winning at Arizona State, USC didn’t play well enough to feel too good about itself (especially the offense). And a large, homecoming crowd should have the Trojans adequately amped.

More from the USC blog:

• USC football: Williams will not practice Tuesday
• Carroll: Stanford Pac-10’s most physical team
• USC football: Offense hasn’t been all it can be
• Poll: What’s wrong with USC’s offense?
• USC football: If Damian Williams is out …
• USC football: McCoy knows time is running out
• USC football: Damian Williams iffy for Stanford
• Why UCLA should root for USC
• USC football: Harris, Gerhart nab Pac-10 honors
• USC football: ‘Like the Washington game’

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