KEYS TO THE GAME

1 Control the quarterbacks. USC must put the clamps on Illinois quarterback Juice Williams, a more powerful runner than Oregon’s Dennis Dixon, and cannot afford to over-pursue or arm tackle. The Fighting Illini need to pressure Trojans quarterback John David Booty, but defensive backs must be aware if offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian puts Booty on the move as he did against Arizona State.

2 Run for the roses. Illinois running back Rashard Mendenhall must play well to occupy the Trojans and clear the running lanes for Williams. USC’s Chauncey Washington and other runners cannot afford a repeat of the Trojans’ paltry Rose Bowl rushing effort against Michigan a year ago. Booty might love to sling it, but the Trojans need balance.

3 Take care. If USC avoids the interceptions and fumbles that plagued it in losses to Stanford and Oregon, it could start the year with its third Rose Bowl victory in four years. Illinois can position itself for an upset if it follows the formula it used against Ohio State: No interceptions, no fumbles.

-- Gary Klein

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HOW THEY MATCH UP

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*--* USC CATEGORY ILLINOIS 31.3 Scoring 28.8 15.9 Points given up 19.5 233.4 Passing offense 157.2 185.0 Rushing offense 266.2 418.4 Total offense 423.3 179.7 Passing defense 240.9 79.2 Rushing defense 114.5 258.8 Total defense 355.4 *--*

* USC rushing offense vs. Illinois rushing defense: Chauncey Washington will start but Stafon Johnson and Joe McKnight will rotate in for the Trojans, who were stymied on the ground in last year’s Rose Bowl victory over Michigan. The offensive line is rested, healthy and intact for the first time all season. The Illinois defense ranks 23rd in the nation against the run and held five opponents, including nationally ranked Missouri, to fewer than 100 yards. All-American middle linebacker J Leman has a knack for shedding blocks and getting to the point of attack. Edge: Illinois.

* USC passing offense vs. Illinois passing defense: Quarterback John David Booty came back from a broken finger and passed for eight touchdowns with only one interception in the last four games. Fred Davis, the Mackey Award winner as college football’s top tight end, is Booty’s main target for a receiving corps that could be without injured split end Patrick Turner. The Fighting Illini have good reason to worry about Davis -- Wisconsin tight end Travis Beckum caught 11 passes for 160 yards against them in October. The secondary is led by senior safety Kevin Mitchell, who had five interceptions and 16 passes defended this season. Edge: USC.

* Special teams: USC kicker David Buehler has converted 16 of 19 field-goal attempts. Freshman Ronald Johnson averages 25.5 yards per kickoff return. Desmond Reed is the most reliable punt catcher but McKnight provides a breakaway threat. Punter Greg Woidneck averages 38.1 yards per kick. Illinois kicker Jason Reda ranked third nationally in percentage by converting 15 of 16 field-goal attempts and was one of only three college kickers to make three of 50 or more yards. The return teams were below average, so the Illini might need Arrelious Benn, a star freshman receiver, to pitch in. Edge: USC.

* Illinois rushing offense vs. USC rushing defense: Illinois running back Rashard Mendenhall ranks seventh in the nation with 127.2 yards rushing a game. When defenses have focused too intently on him, quarterback Juice Williams has been effective running out of the zone read and option. All-American nose tackle Sedrick Ellis, the Pacific 10 Conference’s defensive player of the year, and linebackers Rey Maualuga and Keith Rivers anchor the Trojans front. USC ranks fourth nationally against the run. Edge: USC.

* Illinois passing offense vs. USC passing defense: Williams is a dual-threat quarterback who can look to receiver Benn, the Big Ten freshman of the year, but has been more dangerous when running than passing. Illinois’ passing offense ranks a lowly 114th in the nation. USC cornerbacks Terrell Thomas and Cary Harris and safeties Kevin Ellison and Taylor Mays abide by Coach Pete Carroll’s mantra of keeping the play in front of them. They have only seven interceptions between them but rarely get burned for long gains. Edge: USC.

* Coaching: Carroll has guided the Trojans to their sixth consecutive Bowl Championship Series bowl game. He is 4-1 in BCS games, the only loss coming in the title game against Texas in the 2006 Rose Bowl. Ron Zook revived the Illinois program and led the Fighting Illini to the Rose Bowl for the first time since 1984, but still faces critics who say he isn’t a good game coach. Edge: USC.

* Intangibles: USC is playing a bowl game in its backyard for the fourth time in five years. Some might question the Trojans’ motivation against a three-loss team, but the seniors are determined to go out as one of the most successful classes in college football history. The Illini have been down this road before, playing the underdog to ranked teams such as Missouri, Wisconsin and Ohio State -- and scoring a few upsets along the way. Against USC, they have nothing to lose. Edge: USC.

* Prediction: USC, 34-17.

- Gary Klein and David Wharton

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* Who: No. 6 USC (10-2), 1st in Pac- 10

vs. No. 13 Illinois (9-3), 2nd in Big Ten

* When: Today, 2 p.m.,

Rose Bowl, Pasadena

* On the air: TV -- Channel 7;

Radio -- 710, 1330.