GETTING READY FOR THE SACK; MOBILE PALMER MAY SEE MORE ACTION.

Byline: Scott Wolf Daily News Staff Writer

Protecting the quarterback is USC's primary goal against Washington, but in this case, keeping the quarterback healthy might be more realistic than preventing sacks.

Just listen to what California quarterback Justin Vedder said after surviving 13 sacks against the Huskies' blitzkrieg attack.

``That team was out to kill me, to get me out of the game,'' Vedder said. ``There was no doubt about it. They said that to me a couple times while I was on the ground.''

At least with the Trojans, the Huskies would have to knock two quarterbacks out of the game to significantly diminish the offense.

Seriously, the collision between Washington's swarming defense and the Trojans' sometimes shaky offensive line figures to be the key matchup Saturday in a game both teams must win to keep their bowl hopes alive.

USC ranks ninth in the Pacific-10 Conference - ahead of only the aforementioned Cal - in sacks allowed, with 24 in eight games. Washington, with it's ``get the quarterback at any cost'' philosophy, leads the conference with 43 sacks in seven games. Whoever wins this battle should win the game.

``If you can hold in (the pocket) long enough, you'll make some plays,'' USC quarterback Mike Van Raaphorst said. ``If you don't do that, you're in for some punishment.''

Van Raaphorst knows. Last year he completed five of 18 passes for 46 yards while under constant harrasment in the Huskies' 27-0 victory in Seattle. But Van Raaphorst didn't come away discouraged after getting his first taste of the blitz-first defense.

``I look back at that game and we had so many opportunities,'' Van Raaphorst said. ``We had chances. We just didn't execute.''

That means the offensive line has to do some blocking. No small task for what has been USC's most maligned position.

``With a young group, we've unfortunately given up more sacks,'' offensive line coach Steve Greatwood said. ``I guess it's to be expected, not accepted. I think we're getting better. It's easy to heap it on the line.''

Greatwood has a point. The offensive line has shown signs of improvement. The Trojans allowed no sacks against Washington State two weeks ago and just two sacks last week against Oregon.

``The line took a big step the last two weeks as far as picking up blocks,'' right guard Travis Claridge said. ``I think we're going to be all right.''

Claridge has his own theory on how the Trojans can neutralize Washington's defense. He looked at film of the Huskies' 55-7 loss to Nebraska.

``Nebraska sure tore (them) apart in the run game,'' Claridge said. ``If we run the ball, we won't have to worry about throwing. If we do what Nebraska did - come off the ball, be physical - it gives us a chance.''

Nobody has confused the Trojans' ground game with Nebraska's, however. In the event USC is unable to run successfully, something will have to be done to protect the quarterback from the blitz.

``Most of their sacks come from creating confusion,'' Greatwood said. ``They give you so many different looks. If we can eliminate the confusion and pick up the people we're supposed to, we'll be OK.''

Washington's defense has become so prolific at applying pressure, it's nicknamed the Pacific Sack Exchange. Linebacker Todd Johnson and lineman Jabari Issa each have seven sacks this season.

``Those guys are scary,'' USC coach Paul Hackett said. ``If they decide to completely come after you, you're going to have a problem.''

The situation might not be as dire as it seems. Washington cornerback Jermaine Smith has been out with a knee injury the past four weeks and is considered doubtful. Without him, the Huskies' secondary is vulnerable. Oregon State walk-on quarterback Jonathan Smith passed for 469 yards in the Beavers' 35-34 loss to Washington last week.

The other way to offset the blitz is to have a more-mobile quarterback. If the line is unable to slow the Huskies, Hackett might choose to use freshman Carson Palmer instead of Van Raaphorst. Hackett said he liked the way Palmer moved out of the pocket against Oregon, and the freshman is more mobile than his sophomore counterpart. He also might be considered more fearless.

Asked to recall the hardest hit he ever took in a game, Palmer paused for a moment, then said he couldn't really remember a single hit.

``You don't really realize how hard you're getting hit,'' Palmer said. ``You're thinking about other things during a game.''

USC's offensive line hopes Palmer will still believe that after Saturday.

COLLISION COURSE 

Washington's defense leads the Pac-10 with 43 sacks. USC's offense is ninth in sacks allowed with 24. Here's the three best/worst performances by each team this season:

USC

Opponent Sacks Allowed

California 6

Arizona State 5

Florida State 4

WASHINGTON

Opponent Defensive Sacks

Utah State 13

California 13

Brigham Young 6

CAPTION(S):

Box

Box: COLLISION COURSE (See Text)