Colorado vs. USC 2016: Start time, live stream, TV schedule and 3 things to know

We're not quite sure who will reign supreme in the Pac-12 South, but we're pretty sure this game's gonna at least give us some idea of who's good. We thought it could be Arizona State, but last week USC went medieval on the Sun Devils. The Trojans didn't really do anything wrong last Saturday besides struggling on third down.

The Trojans have been mercurial, which has caused some questions about Clay Helton's job security. Those questions persist especially after LSU pulled the trigger on firing Les Miles and Texas began to teeter. Big fish jobs will be open this offseason, but whether USC will be one of them could be determined, in part, by what happens in The Coliseum in this game.

Colorado seemingly can't do anything wrong in conference play after beating both Oregon teams in consecutive weeks. But the competition's about to ratchet up when the Buffaloes go on the road to Los Angeles against a Trojans team they have never beaten in 10 tries.

How to watch, stream and listen

TV: 4 p.m. ET, Pac-12 Network. The announcers are Roxy Bernstein, Anthony Herron and Lewis Johnson.

Radio: USC, Colorado

Online streaming: Pac-12 Networks

Spread: USC is a five-point favorite against at home.

Make friends: Get to SB Nation’s team blog chats for this game at Ralphie Report (for Colorado fans) and Conquest Chronicles (for Trojans fans).

Three big things to know

1. Colorado QB Sefo Liufau hurt his foot in this game last season, but mum's the word on whether he'll get a second chance at the Trojans. He's been dogged by an ankle injury for the past two weeks and sat out of the wins over Oregon and Oregon State. Coach Mike MacIntyre has not stated whether Liufau or Steven Montez will start at QB against USC. Colorado's passing attack has been a strong point this season. The Buffalos are 19th nationally with 312.6 passing yards per game.
2. Third down issues weren't just a bother against Arizona State. The Trojans are 90th nationally on third down this season, converting 36.4 percent of third downs faced. Colorado is stout on third down defensively, only allowing opponents to convert 29.9 percent of the time. Michigan, the nation's best team on third down offensively, only mustered a 31.3 percent conversion rate against them.
3. Freshman Sam Darnold showed marked improvement in his second start, going 23-of-33 for 352 yards with a 69.7 completion percentage. Darnold has benefited from being kept upright by USC's offensive line -- he's only been hurried twice and sacked once as USC's starter. But Colorado's defense (ranked 13th nationally in total defense) will prove to be a different challenge. From Ralphie Report:

Only two of Colorado's opponents have been able to gain more than 100 yards through the air. Oregon's the only team to crack the 200-yard mark in both rushing and passing. Colorado's defense has shut down opponents with 13 sacks, six interceptions and three fumble recoveries.