CORVALLIS — Hawaii was a win that produced big numbers.

Idaho was a runaway victory with similarly strong statistics.

Oregon State was expected to win those games, and for the most part, did so impressively. The harder part comes days after the performance in terms of honesty.

Did the Beavers really improve and impress, or was there some fool’s gold from the performances as they simply overwhelmed an inferior opponent?

That will not be the case on Saturday, as OSU hits the road to face USC, which is suddenly energized from a 45-14 win at Washington State.

Coach Jonathan Smith and his assistants have dissected video from Idaho, as they did a week ago with Hawaii.

Smith said the noticeable improvement from Week 1 against Purdue to Week 2 vs. Hawaii was most evident on offense, as the running game was more physical and explosive. Smith noted there were fewer assignment errors, too.

Against Idaho, Smith said the improvement came in quickly absorbing the game plan against an opponent with a different offensive style. Idaho’s offense, outside of a few quarterback runs, never got on track against the Beavers.

Smith said Oregon State (2-1) successfully executed its assignments and plays against Idaho, but it wasn’t perfect. One example: Smith noted a fourth-down play the Vandals would have converted had they not dropped a pass.

“There’s some things that show in our assignments and execution that need to get better. There’s going to be way less room for error when you start playing better opponents,” Smith said. “Our guys are very aware of that. Win, lose or draw there’s stuff to clean up. It’s a process.”

Speaking of a cleanup on aisle 4, Oregon State heads to USC looking to buck some messy history. It’s been 61 years since the Beavers won in Los Angeles. Since beating the Trojans 14-0 in 1960, OSU has lost 24 consecutive road games to USC.

The losing streak is a storyline to outsiders and fans. Inside Oregon State’s locker room, it’s a big zero. Smith said he doesn’t think most of his players are aware the Beavers haven’t won at USC since 1960.

“It’s so much about where we’re headed toward. Previous years don’t matter. It’s going to come down to who plays the best for 60 minutes this Saturday,” Smith said. “I don’t see it as a huge talking point for most of the guys.”

Smith doesn’t intend to build his pre-game speech around the losing streak, either.

“I mean, I wasn’t even born then,” said the 42-year-old coach. “We’re about a consistent approach. I’m not a big rah-rah guy before the game anyway.”

USC (2-1, 1-0 Pac-12) presents some unknowns.

A week ago, coach Clay Helton was fired after Stanford routed the Trojans on Sept. 11. Teams sometimes generate significant momentum from an interim coach, which for USC is Donte Williams. The Trojans might have found something during Williams’ first game as coach, as USC scored 38 second-half point to drub Washington State.

Then there’s the quarterback situation. Kedon Slovis came into the season on a preseason short list for Pac-12 offensive player of the year favorites. But Slovis was hurt during the first series against WSU. His status is unknown for Oregon State. That might not matter for USC, as freshman Jaxson Dart came off the bench to throw for 391 yards and four touchdowns against the Cougars.

Smith said they’ll prep for both quarterbacks by studying the scheme.

“Both those quarterbacks, they’re good players, whoever’s playing,” Smith said. “We don’t see them wholesale changing from one quarterback to the other in regard to the plays they’re running.”

The Southern California road trip — be it to play USC or UCLA — is one of the most meaningful to the team, as it involves a large group of players returning home to play in front of friends and family. There are some two dozen players on OSU’s roster with Southern California ties.

“Added motivation? I don’t know. I think we’re pretty motivated all the time. But they definitely enjoy playing closer to home,” Smith said.