When talking with the Oregon State football team this week about today's game there was a common response.

"This is a new year."

OSU has been the most successful of the Pacific-10 Conference brethren in defeating Southern California with two wins in the last three years, including last season's six-point victory in Corvallis.

The two teams face off again at 5 p.m. in the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. During the week the Beavers were asked what it would take to do it again, what's their secret and can they just replicate last year's performance.

"Last year we just came out and executed our plays perfectly," offensive guard Gregg Peat said. "That's what we need to do. We have to play perfectly."

Oh, is that all?

Coaches and players are cautious drawing from history too much because it's a new season and new team. They feel this is the biggest challenge on the schedule for a young team.

However, they are more concerned about what they can accomplish. That means a focus on running the ball, protecting the quarterback and stopping the run.

"To repeat it, we have to do everything to get ready," center Alex Linnenkohl said. "We just have to prepare, watch film, finish blocks and compete to play. And get off on the linebackers like last year."

Coach Mike Riley believes the key matchup in the game is his offensive line against USC's defensive line. The Beavers dominated that area last year and running back Jacquizz Rodgers had his breakout game with 186 yards and two touchdowns.

The new year concept comes into play here because there are two new underclassmen starting on the left side of the offensive line and they are still learning on the run.

That's not good, since the Trojans are the best pass rushing team in the conference with 26 quarterback sacks, eight more than any other team.

"They are really good up front," Riley said. "The teams they beat they overwhelm up front. You have to have a mixture of things. You have to run the ball and throw the ball. You have to make quick decisions. There's no holding the ball long."

On top of that USC has a mixture of pass coverages behind the line. The ability to recognize them, block and get open quickly will be put to the test.

That wasn't an issue last year because the linemen were more seasoned, there was an NFL-caliber receiver in Sammie Stroughter and quarterback Lyle Moevao releases the ball quicker.

Sean Canfield tends to hold the ball too long, which led to more sacks than he should have absorbed.

"That was last year, and it's a whole new ball game this year," offensive line coach Mike Cavanaugh said when asked if his linemen can hold up. "How physically (the Trojans) play, we have to match that. There will be things we have to do against them. And hopefully, we'll have the same success."

What might be the most significant aspect of the game for the Beavers may be the mental obstacles. They have lost 39 of the 45 games played against USC in the Los Angeles area.

USC performs well at home in the 93,607-seat coliseum, which is sold out for the game. It has a 75-percent winning percentage there, and has won the last 11 home games and 46 of the last 47.

"We started talking immediately about poise and all those things," Riley said. "It's a football game. And if it is a factor, it has to be eliminated. You have to execute all the way to the end. Anything that gets in the way of that is a distraction."

The Beavers can draw something from the past, since many of the current players were around for the recent victories, and a loss at USC.

Knowing how to win is their greatest strength. If the game is close, they've handled the pressure well with 14 victories in the last 17 games decided by less than seven points.

"The ability to not blink if something doesn't go right is important," Riley said. "And then you have to play to the last tick of the clock. Finishing is a big deal. You can't get overwhelmed with the lead or overwhelmed being behind."