An early test for No. 14 USC and No. 13 Stanford in Pac-12 opener

Reporting from Palo Alto, Calif. — So much for tuneups.

USC and Stanford each had only one game to prepare for Saturday’s Pac-12 Conference opener at Stanford Stadium.

The No. 14 Trojans and No. 13 Cardinal will kick off at 12:30 p.m. PDT in a pivotal game that could shape their seasons.

It’s a boon for college football fans eager for meaningful early-season matchups. Not so much for coaches hoping to learn more about their teams before they begin the toughest parts of their conference schedules.

“I don’t think either of us would choose this,” Shaw said this week.

USC has not won at Stanford since 2008.

In 2010, the Cardinal defeated the Trojans, 37-35, on a field goal as time expired.

Two years ago, the Cardinal roughed up quarterback Matt Barkley and came from behind to win, 21-14.

USC last season ended the Cardinal’s four-game winning streak in the series when Andre Heidari kicked a field goal with 19 seconds left for a 20-17 victory at the Coliseum.

Now the Trojans will try to end Stanford’s 17-game home winning streak, the longest in major college football.

USC arrived here on Friday feeling confident after defeating Fresno State, 52-13. USC, breaking in its new no-huddle offense, ran a Pac-12 record 105 plays.

Stanford, a 45-0 winner over UC Davis last week, plays at a more deliberate pace.

The Cardinal will attempt to neutralize Trojans quarterback Cody Kessler, who passed for four touchdowns and a career-best 394 yards against Fresno State.

Kessler sat out practice Tuesday and was limited Wednesday while recovering from an unspecified toe procedure to treat an infection. He is expected to start Saturday.

Defensive lineman Leonard Williams, who suffered an ankle injury Tuesday during practice, also is expected to start.