The Trojans are on their way back. Although they're going through probation and not eligible for postseason this year, USC is playing at a high-level, just as it has traditionally. After a tough loss to a top-five team last week, can the Trojans respond against a team that is struggling?

Colorado has had a tough first year in the Pac-12, but a win at home against a storied program like USC would make the season for the Buffaloes.

Based on the series history, any Colorado win in this series would set a precedent.

USC has won all five meetings, but the two teams haven't met since 2002 (a 40-3 win in Boulder). USC is 2-0 In Boulder, outscoring the Buffaloes 54-3 in those games.

USC Trojans

USC had its second three-game win streak snapped last week with a heartbreaking 56-48 triple-overtime home loss to Stanford. The only other loss was a 43-22 defeat at South Division-leading Arizona State. USC has given up just 26 points in its last two road games.

The Trojans rank 37th nationally in scoring (32 points per game), compiling 432 yards of offense per game (286 passing, 146 rushing). Matt Barkley completes 67 percent of his passes for 2,290 yards and 22 touchdowns with five interceptions. His offensive line has allowed just four sacks

Robert Woods is the top target with 81 catches for 991 yards and nine TDs. Curtis McNeal and Marc Tyler anchor the run game with 990 combined rush yards and six TDs.

Defensively, USC ranks 64th in scoring (27 ppg) and gives up 376 yards per game (273 passing, 103 rushing). The unit has recorded 15 sacks and forced 14 turnovers, with three defensive TDs (two fumble, one INT).

Dion Bailey leads the team with 67 total tackles, adding two sacks, two INTs and a forced fumble. Nick Perry has four sacks, while Nickell Robey and T.J. McDonald each have two picks (Robey has a pick-six). Also, Torin Harris has a fumble recovery in the endzone for a TD and Jawanza Starling has an 80-yard fumble return for a score.

Colorado Buffaloes

The Buffaloes are currently riding a six-game losing streak after a 48-14 loss at Arizona State last week. The lone win was a 28-14 decision over Colorado State in Denver. The team is 0-3 at home, allowing 34 points per game in those efforts.

The offense ranks 111th in the country in scoring (19 ppg) while compiling 335 yards per contest (245 passing, 90 rushing). Tyler Hansen completes 57 percent of his passes for 2,029 yards and 14 TDs with six INTs. The offensive line has allowed 28 sacks.

Seven players have at least 13 catches. Paul Richardson leads the team with 29 catches (474 yards, 5 TDs) and Rodney Stewart is second with 28 receptions (435 yards). Stewart leads the running game with 473 yards and a TD (4.2 ypc).

The defense is like the offense - one of the lowest-rated in the country, ranking 117th in points allowed (38 ppg) and giving up 435 yards per outing (249 passing, 186 rushing).

The unit has 22 sacks and has forced eight turnovers, with one returned for a TD (fumble by Josh Moten). Anthony Perkins has 63 total tackles, with Douglas Rippy adding 62 and Ray Polk 60. Chidera Uzo-Diribe has 5.5 sacks (with three forced fumbles) and Josh Hartigan has four.