The top-ranked Trojan football team returns to practice today to begin preparations for Saturday’s contest against Nebraska after a rare weekend off. The Cornhuskers rose to #14 in the polls despite struggling to defeat Wake Forest over the weekend. USC is still safely in first, despite the increasing number of analysts calling for LSU to surpass them. (The Trojans did lose 19 first place votes, however.)

The trip to Lincoln will be USC’s first since 1969, which is the only other time the Trojans have played there. Historically, USC is 2-0-1 against Nebraska. Last season, of course, USC defeated the Huskers 28-10 at the Coliseum, with the Trojans holding Nebraska to just 211 total yards.

Here’s USC’s official injury update for the game, as of Monday morning (note that for what it’s worth, Cushing and Turner have guaranteed that they will play on Saturday):

• PROBABLE: LB Brian Cushing (ankle), WR Patrick Turner (shoulder), LB Kaluka Maiava (hamstring), S Taylor Mays (wrist)
• POSSIBLE: TB Chauncey Washington (shoulder), S-CB Josh Pinkard (knee), QB Mark Sanchez (thumb), S Will Harris (ankle), WR Travon Patterson (foot), TB Hershel Dennis (knee), TB Marc Tyler (leg)
• OUT: OG-C Nick Howell (hernia), TB Broderick Green (foot), CB Kevin Thomas (shoulder), C Matt Spanos (triceps), OT Martin Coleman (shoulder), DE Trey Henderson (knee), WR Damian Williams (shoulder)

Saturday’s game, which begins at 5:00p, will be televised on ABC.

TrojanUpdate’s Game Preview
Official game week press release (Official USC site)
USC Rewind & Fast Forward: Pac-10 schedule is looking tougher (LA Times)
Louisiana State closes gap on USC in AP poll (AP via LA Times)