USC SCOUTING REPORT

* Time: 11:30 a.m. PDT

* Site: Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, N.J.

* TV: Channel 7.

* Radio: XTRA (690).

* When USC has the ball: Carson Palmer makes his much-anticipated return, but can the USC running game make a comeback too? The Trojans are looking for one of three tailbacks--Sultan McCullough, Malaefou MacKenzie or Petros Papadakis--to distinguish himself in this game. That would require steady play from last season’s shaky offensive line. The Penn State defense offers just as many uncertainties with only two returning starters and an entirely new secondary. Coach Joe Paterno says he’s not sure what to expect, but his teams have a history of tough play, and linebacker Eric Sturdifen said, “The guys who are left . . . we can still lace ‘em up and hit somebody.”

* When Penn State has the ball: Quarterback Rashard Casey adds spice to the Nittany Lions’ traditional power running game. The senior is an efficient passer who becomes doubly dangerous when he scrambles. He has a blurry fast receiver in Eddie Drummond and two capable tight ends, Tony Stewart and John Gilmore. They will face a USC secondary that was revamped because veteran Antuan Simmons must redshirt this season while recuperating from abdominal surgery. Sophomore Tory Polamalu is expected to make his first start at strong safety but has veteran help in cornerback Kris Richard and free safety Ifeanyi Ohalete. The Trojans might try to pressure Casey by bookending rush specialists Sultan Abdul-Malik and Lonnie Ford on passing downs.

* Key to the game: USC must succeed where other West Coast teams have failed by withstanding Penn State’s physical brand of football. That means stuffing the run on defense and solid blocking on offense. If the Trojans win the battle of the trenches, or at least play the Nittany Lions to a draw, their team speed will make the difference.

* Fast fact: The Nittany Lions have won their last three games against USC--the last two by wide margins--for a 4-3 series lead. And Giants Stadium might as well be their second home because they have won seven in a row for an all-time record of 10-2 in East Rutherford.

* Line: Penn State by two.

HOW THEY COMPARE*

USC Penn State

29.0 Scoring 32.8

23.2 Points allowed 19.5

257.7 Passing 231.3

145.0 Rushing 186.5

402.7 Total offense 417.8

255.7 Passing defense 203.8

117.3 Rushing defense 116.6

373.0 Total defense 320.4

*--1999 statistics