USC Report

* Time--11:30 a.m.

* Site--Coliseum

* TV--Channel 7

* Radio--AM 690, 1540

* The offenses--Both coaches are in suspense, waiting to see exactly what they have. Purdue’s wide-open attack under new Coach Joe Tiller averaged 33 points a game last season when the Boilermakers went a surprising 9-3. But with quarterback Billy Dicken, star receiver Brian Alford and the top two running backs gone, Purdue is starting over. Quarterback Drew Brees is talented but unproven and has some experienced receivers. Running back J. Crabtree, a 5-foot-9, 200-pound junior college transfer, will start ahead of senior Eric Haddad. USC’s offense is unproven, too, although quarterback Mike Van Raaphorst started two games as a redshirt freshman, replacing veteran John Fox. Small but speedy tailback Chad Morton and tailback Malaefou MacKenzie both will play--sometimes at the same time, with one at flanker. But the Trojans are missing game-breaker R. Jay Soward, suspended for the game for academic reasons, and the offensive line is a very big question mark, with four inexperienced starters making their debuts.

* The defenses--Unlike some of Purdue’s Big Ten Conference opponents last season, USC has seen a one-back, multi-receiver attack before against such teams as Washington State. The Trojans have the biggest defensive stars, with such players as cornerback Daylon McCutcheon and linebackers Chris Claiborne and Mark Cusano. Cusano won’t start because of a recent hamstring injury, but he’ll play, taking a more limited role than usual. The Trojans are going to more of an attacking defense this season, but USC has to avoid giving up the big play, something the Trojans were vulnerable to last season. Purdue has eight returning starters, led by pass-rushing end Rosevelt Colvin and converted linebacker Chike Okeafor, who didn’t play last season but will start in place of Chukie Nwokorie, who has a knee injury. One of Purdue’s strengths last season was creating turnovers, with 12 fumble recoveries and 23 interceptions. * The keys to the game--Two young quarterbacks square off, and if one proves substantially more ready than the other, the game might swing his way. Protection is a question for USC, with new tackles Brent McCaffrey and Matt Welch facing the pressure of Purdue defensive ends Colvin, the Boilermakers’ most accomplished player, and Okeafor.

* Fast fact--Purdue has appeared in only one Rose Bowl game, beating USC, 14-13, in 1967. Purdue is 1-2 against USC overall.

* The line--USC by 7 1/2.