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USC QB Matt Barkley is doing more than just playing football this season. Link here.

That was the team that beat USC?

Notre Dame linebacker Manti Te’o is on the cover of Sports Illustrated and there was this quote from Irish defensive coordinator Bob Diaco on Wednesday.
I would say that Manti’s the finest football player in America, all positions, all teams in college,” Diaco said.
USC is not immune from hyperbole as Lane Kiffin’s said Marvin Sanders is the best secondary coach in the nation.
But back to Te’o, isn’t he the same guy who wasn’t considered a lock as a first-round draft pick last year? And has anyone seen Georgia linebacker Jarvis Jones play? Why isn’t he the best player in the country?

Cornerback Chris Hawkins, who committed to USC, is attending tonight’s Washington-Stanford game as a guest of the Huskies. Hawkins said he is committed but is also going to take trips to Arizona State and Notre Dame.

Time for some more reader questions. One per person please.

What does Lane Kiffin think USC’s identity is? The Trojans’ three victories are against teams with an 0-8 record against FBS opponents. Link here.

The Pac-12’s suffered from SEC-envy for years now and now the coaches are finally doing their best impressions. The latest escapade is UCLA coach Jim Mora’s tirade about TV camera crews setting up at the start of practice.
What was he worried about? Rivals coaches figuring out the warmup routine?
This follows the well-documented episodes with Lane Kiffin. I already noted how Kiffin’s tactics simply mirror Oregon coach Chip Kelly and Washington coach Steve Sarkisian slavishly follows whatever Kiffin does.
Kiffin’s already mentioned how Pete Carroll’s open ways were not smart and would not work today.
Which brings me to Oregon State coach Mike Riley, the nicest guy in the conference. He doesn’t worry about supressing injuries or TV crews showing up for warmups. And he is 2-0 at a school that really has no business beating Wisconsin or UCLA.

Defensive tackle Antwaun Woods said defensive end Morgan Breslin influences the rest of the line with his play.
“He’s quiet and super humble,” Woods said. “He gets all these sacks and thinks it’s not good enough.”