November 2010 Archives

I asked a player what he thought about wide receiver Markeith Ambles deciding to transfer last week.
``He left?'' the player said. ``Who even knew he was here?''
Remember even Pete Carroll dropped Ambles as a recuit. So once in awhile, he got one right in the past couple years.

USC is now favored by as few as six points after opening as a nine-point favorite against UCLA. Looks like money is flowing toward the Bruins.

Matt Barkley threw a small number of passes today with the scout team and based on tonight, Mitch Mustain still looks like the starter.

Here is Caesar's twitter.
PeteCarroll: a shout out to @CoachSark's huskies, #SOTD is purple haze by jimi hendrix

From ESPN columnist Pat Forde: ``Overemployed Coach of the Year: Lane Kiffin (17). An impressive run for the man, winning this award for the second straight season with two different teams. After reducing former giant USC to 7-5 and becoming the first Trojans coach to lose to Notre Dame since 2001, Kiffy's career head-coaching record now is a robust 19-26.''

Tennessee basketball coach Bruce Pearl had this gem on Monday while addressing the Knoxville Quarterback club,
``I've made mistakes, I clearly did. But what I was hoping for was that some other dumbass would get on the front page and take me off the hook. I miss Lane Kiffin.''

Lane Kiffin said Notre Dame is the fans' game and UCLA is the players' game.
What was Washington? Steve Sarkisian's game?
Or Oregon State? Mike Riley's game?
Stanford? Jim Harbaugh's game?
Oregon? Chip Kelly's game?
What's Kiffin's game?

The Gold Sheet, on a roll after picking Oregon State and Notre Dame the past two weeks, likes UCLA to upset USC, 24-22.

The freezing night temperatures only remind to thank USC and UCLA for allowing Saturday's game to kickoff at 7:30 p.m.

``You can't end an eight-game winning streak to Notre Dame and call the season a success.''
-- USC coach Lane Kiffin

I'm not quite sure why Lane Kiffin keeps saying the Notre Dame game is the ``fans' game,'' while UCLA is the ``players' game.'' I don't know any USC fans that will feel any less upset if the Trojans do not beat the Bruins this week.

USC's pass defense is ranked 112th in the nation. UCLA's pass offense is ranked 116th.
Which will give in first at the Rose Bowl on Saturday?

I said during the offseason whenever asked about Lane Kiffin's hiring that the true test of his coaching would be when adversity struck and how USC responded? Whether he could get the Trojans to bounce back and play with belief?
After getting routed by Oregon State, there was not an inspired effort against Notre Dame. And even the victory over Arizona State following the loss to Oregon, was an emotionally wanting performance. USC did respond to its loss to Washington with verve against Stanford.
So right now, the reviews are mixed at best.

Because of the long Thanksgiving weekend, some of you might have missed last week's memorable episode of USC Report with special correspondent Amanda Pflugrad.

During training camp, Lane Kiffin said it was the first time a backup quarterback (Mitch Mustain) could utilize all the plays exactly like the starting quarterback (Matt Barkley). So why did he go conservative with the playcalling even after Mustain got a half of experience against Oregon State last week?

Here's my ballot for the Associated Press college basketball poll.

Here are the grades for the Notre Dame game.

The American Football Coaches' Association released its All-American team today, which includes one-time USC commit Alshon Jeffrey. Full team after the jump:

Pete Carroll cannot be happy tonight. He lost to Charlie Weis (Kansas City Chiefs assistant coach) for the first time today. And that hurts from what I know of their relationship the previous five years.

USC coach Lane Kiffin on wide receiver Ronald Johnson after the game.
``I don't know that I've seen player ever take a game or a play harder than Ronald did,'' Kiffin said. ``He was a wreck after the game. I had him in (the locker room), just me and him. He was so emotional.
``It's probably my fault because I talked about how important this game was. He felt he let people down. He felt that weight on his shoulders. It's been very tough for him.''

Lane Kiffin said there was no explanation for why USC lost three games at the Coliseum this season.
``We just continue to lose games at the end of games,'' he said. ``It's been very unfortunate.''

Lane Kiffin said tonight that Matt Barkely looked better today and he believes he can play against UCLA. Tailback Allen Bradford is also healthy and did not play against Notre Dame because of fumbling issues, the reason Bradford's played sparingly for several games.

Here's a quote from Lane Kiffin tonight:
``We've probably set a record for the worst two-minute defense in the history of college football. The amount of points we've given up is astounding.''

The Gold Sheet makes USC a nine-point favorite over UCLA.

Pete Carroll loses and Jeremy Bates goes 3 for 12 on third-down conversions.
UPDATED: It currently works out to $1.2 million per victory for the Carroll.

Michael Floyd's 11 receptions were the most by a opponent receiver against the USC defense since Michael Thomas's 12 for Arizona in 2007, and the most by a Notre Dame receiver against the Trojans since Jim Seymour's 11 in the 1966 51-0 game.

Let's be clear about one thing. Any criticism regarding the Notre Dame loss also lays some blame at Pete Carroll and his poor recruiting decisions the past three years.
But also consider this when analyzing the loss (and absence of Matt Barkley). Notre Dame was without its top tailback (Armando Allen), starting quarterback (Dayne Crist), one of the nation's top tight ends (Kyle Rudolph) and a top defensive lineman (Ian Williams).
If Lane Kiffin did not beat them last night, will it be any easier the next two or three years?

Here is this week's top 25 ballot for the Associated Press top 25 poll.

Hans Gutknecht/Daily News
Pete Carroll's key belief on winning a big game was not followed during Saturday night's USC loss to Notre Dame.

Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly on Ronald Johnson's dropped pass: ``It's about time we caught a break.''

Rain-soaked fans will be glad to know that USC athletic director Pat Haden referred to coach Lane Kiffin as, ``sensational,'' during the telecast and said, ``he'll be with us a long time.''

USC quarterback Matt Barkley said he would play against UCLA in spite of his sprained ankle next weekend.
``There's no doubt about that,'' Barkley said. ``It just stinks we lost. It's not a good feeling. Our guys fought but came up short.''

You can blame the loss on this play or that play, but the bottom line is in rivalry games you get your team ready to play or you don't.
That is where Lane Kiffin is accountable tonight. The dropped passes and lack of focus are coaching issues. Say what you want about Pete Carroll, but he went 16-2 against the archrivals. I have no sense that USC will even come close to that mark in the next few years.
And if you want to say Carroll lost to Notre Dame in his first year too, remember the talent level of that team compared to this team. Remember fullback Sunny Byrd started at tailback.
And remember this: If USC does not defeat UCLA next week, Lane Kiffin is 7-6.
And what was his record at Tennessee? 7-6.

``I felt like I should have made the play. I let my team down. It's tough to bite this nail right now but Mitch made a great pass. I should have caught it. There's nothing I can really do about it now.''

OK, post your thoughts here on this back-and-forth game that included some questionable calls.

Joe Houston's field goal pushes the Trojans ahead. The defense is definitely winning this game.

The defense is coming up big. But USC can't rely on it for the entire final 15 minutes.

I think this is Lane Kiffin's worst game as offensive coordinator and I'm giving him a pass for having a new QB. Totally ignorant feel for the game from the way he is calling plays and why doesn't he punt on 4th and 3? By the way, does everyone see why Matt Barkley's been starting the past 2 years now?

After a quarter, the Trojans with the narrow lead thanks to Chris Galippo's interception. Neither offense looks especially dynamic right now.

Mitch Mustain is going to start against Notre Dame. Matt Barkley will suit up and be available. Barkley is not participating in warmups.

Pac-10 commissioner Larry Scott released a statement commending Cal for self-imposed disciplinary sanctions for faking injuries against Oregon. The only thing missing a statement from Cal on the matter.

The quickest USC-Notre Dame game updates today will be posted in the twitter box on the right side of the blog.

There is still time to pick the score in yesterday's post. Here's my prediction: USC 21, Notre Dame 17.

It's Lane Kiffin vs. Brian Kelly in this edition of one of college football greatest rivalries when Notre Dame takes on USC at the Coliseum.

USC Report special correspondent Amanda Pflugrad's brother, Aaron, caught two touchdown passes today in Arizona State's victory over UCLA.

USC safety T.J. McDonald sent his own text message to Notre Dame tailback Cierre Wood.
"He hit me up and said, 'You know I'm coming for your head, right?' '' Wood told the Chicago Tribune. ``I'm like, all right, we'll see. You can try.''

Former Notre Dame quarterback Jimmy Clausen sent a text message to his close friend, USC tailback Marc Tyler, this week.
``He said the Notre Dame was going to bring it,'' Tyler said. ``I told him we were going to bring it too.''

Our official meteorologist Evelyn Taft of KCAL-TV, offers the Saturday forecast for the Coliseum.
``Lows in the 40s & Highs in the mid 60s...partly cloudy...bring a jacket! Hoping to make it to this one!''

It's time to pick the score for the USC-Notre Dame game. If anyone picks the correct score, they win a 2010 USC media guide (valid email required).

It's time to preview the Notre Dame game with special correspondent Amanda Pflugrad.

USC coach Lane Kiffin gets a little payback on Pete Carroll for a comment he made earlier in the season regarding recruiting.

Mitch Mustain is ready for his big chance Saturday. Will he get it?

Final answer from last week's forum.

Always time to finish up the Open Forum.

USC quarterback Matt Barkley took some snaps and threw some passes during today's practice.
``I feel better,'' Barkley said. ``I do plan on suiting up.''

The Gold Sheet picks Notre Dame to beat USC, 27-23.

Here's a collection of short essays by Daily News writers on something they are thankful for, including my entry on what I'm thankful about regarding Lane Kiffin.

Here's the latest on Matt Barkley and how Mitch Mustain might do against Notre Dame in today's episode of USC Report with special correspondent Amanda Pflugrad.

Lane Kiffiin said he will not lie about whether Matt Barkley is healthy enough to play in order to keep Notre Dame off balance.

Here is tonight's episode of USC Report with special correspondent Amanda Pflugrad.

USC quarterback Matt Barkley after tonight's practice:
``It's been improving every day, which is great,'' Barkley said. ``I've been feeling better and better. We'll see how it feels at the end of the week.''
Barkley said he would remain positive about his prospects even if it was unrealistic considering the severity of his injury.
``That's what my mind is thinking,'' he said. ``If you guys don't, so be it. If you want it to happen, you need that mindset.''

We will have a very special guest on tonight's episode of USC Report.

More pre-Thanksgiving questions.

Rolling through the questions today.

It looks like some fans feel like Lane Kiffin's blunt comments about his players could backfire at some point.

Auburn quarterback Cam Newton continues to lead a poll of 62 actual Heisman Trophy voters compiled by StiffArmTrophy.com. Full results after the jump:

Remember to follow us on twitter.com/InsideUSC.

USC quarterback Matt Barkley looks unlikely to play but is not ruled out by Lane Kiffin, Mitch Mustain said he's ready to go while walk-on John Manoogian moves into the spotlight as the new backup.

I told Lane Kiffin tonight that he is No. 2 choice for fans to start at quarterback this week against Notre Dame in our blog poll with 17 percent of the vote, which leads Matt Barkley. He was naturally quite surprised. I wonder if anyone told Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly anything like that this week. I doubt it.

Lane Kiffin said tonight he would tell Mitch Mustain he is the starting quarterback if he will start against Notre Dame, unlike last year when Pete Carroll (and Jeremy Bates) never told Aaron Corp he would start against Washington.
``Our players will always know who will start the game,'' Kiffin said.
That does not mean Kiffin will announce the starter, however, because he probably wants to keep Notre Dame off balance. At least that's how his mind works.

Lots of coaching questions today.

You ask. I answer.

Back to the forum.

In this segment, a question about Lane Kiffin's criticism of players and how it differs from Caesar.

There is still no line on the USC-Notre Dame game thanks to Matt Barkley's ankle injury.

The sarcastic Norman Chad of the Washington Post threw out this line on Lane Kiffin:
``Kiffin is basically Kato Kaelin with a headset; if his coaching father didn't gift him the keys to a football life, he'd be living in someone's guest house.''

Ask your post-Oregon State/pre-Notre Dame questions here while I answer last week's questions. One per person please.

Yankee Stadium expressed interest in USC playing a game at the historic ballpark but the Trojans decided the contest did not make financial sense.

Not a good sign when Lane Kiffin (86 votes) is outpolling Matt Barkley (74 votes) in the question over who should start at quarterback in today's poll.

The symbol of the USC-Notre Dame is the Shillelagh, a wooden club that is adorned with a ruby when USC wins and an emerald when Notre Dame wins. I asked a USC spokesperson today if the ruby from the 2005 game was removed from the Shillelagh because the victory was vacated.
The answer: No.

Here's USC's statement from vice president of compliance Dave Roberts on some of the Internet pictures circulating about USC players attending a party by 1st Round enterprises.

``Today's media reports about USC student-athletes attending a May 2009 party allegedly sponsored by an NFL player agent and his affiliated company are untrue.
``USC's investigation conducted today revealed that USC student-athletes attended parties in May and September of 2009. One or both of the parties were allegedly put on by a USC student or his affiliated company; however, that student did not become an NFL agent until October of 2010. Both parties were open to all USC students. Our investigation revealed that USC student-athletes who attended the functions paid the same posted cover and refreshment charges that were paid by all attendees.''

USC needs to win its final two games to avoid its worst record since 2001. This is not a great way for Lane Kiffin to have to end the season, mainly because the nonconference was non-taxing and even though the Pac-10 is doing well in power rankings, Arizona is sinking while Oregon and Stanford are the only real elite teams to deal with this year.
Consider that Oregon State was under .500 when it routed the Trojans and that teams are scrambling within the conference just to be bowl eligible. And three of USC's opponents are currently listed in the top 10 of coacheshotseat.com (Arizona State, UCLA, Washington State).

There was no line set on the USC-Notre Dame game due to Matt Barkley's uncertain status.

USC is ranked 114h in pass defense this week. UCLA is 117th in pass offense. The teams were tied last week at 116th.

Here are the grades for the Oregon State game.

Lane Kiffin's optimistic about Matt Barkley, sick about the offensive performance and Marc Tyler talks about the flat effort against Oregon State.

Here is my ballot for this week's Associated Press college basketball poll.

``We had 10 drives of five plays or less. That can't happen.''
-- USC coach Lane Kiffin

Lane Kiffin said tonight X-rays were negative on USC quarterback Matt Barkley's ankle and Kiffin was hopeful he could play this week even though high-ankle often require several weeks for a full recovery.
``We're gonna work to hopefully have him healthy this week,'' Kiffin said. ``As far as Matt coming back, obviously we're extremely hopeful.''

This was Lane Kiffin's message to the Trojans during today's meeting:
``If you watched that film and don't feel sick, you shouldn't be here,'' Kiffin said.

USC committed only five penalties against Oregon State. But four were by the offensive line and two were on offensive tackle Matt Kalil.
``I don't think we really got a rhythm going,'' Kalil said. ``We didn't play well as a group.''

Oregon State tailback Jacquizz Rodgers was asked why the Beavers beat USC three straight times in Corvallis.
``Guys get pumped up for that game even though we are supposed to approach every game the saame. With the history 'SC has, guys are just looking to knock them off and make history against them.''

Former USC linebacker Jordan Campbell was removed from the website of 1st Round enterprises, the business that seeks to represent athletes and gave tailback Dillon Baxter a ride in a golf cart on campus last week. Campbell was listed as a principal on Saturday and is close friends with the founders.
Campbell's facebook profile also removed references to 1st Round. He listed them as his employer on Saturday.

Horizon Airlines' customized Oregon State plane was busy Sunday. Shouldn't Alaska Airlines offer a USC plane?

Oregon State students camped out this morning for tickets to the Oregon game. No word when USC students start lining up for Notre Dame game tickets.

When asked about the interception returned for a touchdown last night, Lane Kiffin said he was concerned about falling behind early at Oregon State with that type of play and is why he was extremely conservative on the first couple series with short passes.
That raises the question of why in his 23rd college start, Matt Barkley needed a close-to-the-vest game plan at the outset? The interception answered the question.
Can you imagine Stanford needing something similar for Andrew Luck?

Here is this week's ballot for the Associated Press Top 25 poll.

Lane Kiffin he thought USC set a national record three-and-out possessions. So how many did the Trojans have? 7.

``Obviously it was not a good performance by us after playing well for a couple of weeks in a row. I'm very disappointed and a little shocked. You go back over it, and you turn the ball over a couple of times, and can't make third downs, and don't make hardly any fourth downs and don't get any turnovers, it's going to happen.''
-- USC coach Lane Kiffin

USC quarterback Matt Barkley on the chances he will be out the rest of the season with a high ankle sprain.
``That's the last thing I want,'' he said. ``I'm going to do everything in my power to not let it happen.''

``The story of the day was the offense and how poorly it played. We probably broke a national record for three-and-outs.''
-- USC coach Lane Kiffin

Lane Kiffin did not have the Trojans ready to play tonight. Thoughts?

USC never lost in Corvallis from 1968-2000. The Trojans are about to lose for the fourth time here since 2000.

I'm not sure what Lane Kiffin's philosophy was going into this game.

Maybe now I know why Mike Riley was so calm when I spoke to him before the game. USC was in town.

USC trailed Oregon State, 21-0, at halftime in 2008. So that's a one-point improvement this year.

The last time USC got shut out in a half? The 2001 Vegas Bowl. Lane Kiffin remembers. He was on the staff that game.

It looks like it's been nine years since USC was shut out in a half. Will Trojans score in final seconds?

Here's a little local flavor from Oregon.

Quarterback Matt Barkley regains his deep touch. The Trojans' pass defense does not play like the 116th-ranked unit in nation. Oregon State falls for a fake field goal or two-point conversion. Oregon State tailback Jacquizz Rodgers fumbles for the first time in his career. USC blocks a field goal or punt. Lane Kiffin wants to avoid a week of scrutiny heading into the Notre Dame and UCLA games.

Coach Mike Riley shows up for the game. The Beavers want to go to a bowl game. The current team remembers it won three of the past four games against USC in Corvallis. Tailback Jacquizz Rodgers rushes for more than 100 yards. Reser Stadium is at least 67 percent full for a rare ABC telecast. It rains.

USC athletic director Pat Haden said he found out about Dillon Baxter around 8:30 a.m. this morning.
``We did the right thing and we hope to have him eligible by next week,'' Haden said. ``These guys don't represent anybody from what I was told. We're doing what the rules require.''

USC tailback Dillon Baxter did not make the trip to Oregon State because of possible contact with an agent. Here's Lane Kiffin:
``Yesterday as he was traveling across campus, he was given a ride in a golf cart by a couple students, later we found out that one of these students may be agent. We take these things very serious.We talked to Dillon. Dillon didn't know that. But we've turned it into the NCAA.''

One thing that is sometimes worth pointing out is the effect from USC dropping physical education as a major more than 20 years ago. From the 1940's-1970's, many high school and college coaches in Southern California attended USC. That era is over.
More importantly to those of you who follow football, it means a junior-college athlete can only transfer four units of P.E. classes to USC. That eliminates a lot of athletes, who can instead go to Arizona State, Arizona, etc. And it is one reason USC is so difficult a place to get JC football players.

A hotel receptionist here in Oregon just told me one of her best friends had his laptop stolen in the Jeremiah Masoli incident.

OK, it's time to pick the score. If anyone picks the correct score, they receive a copy of the 2010 USC football media guide. Valid email address required for all entries.

Our official meteorologist Evelyn Taft of KCAL-TV, offers the Saturday forecast for Corvallis, Ore.
``Rain in Corvallis for the game with highs in the 40s and lows in the 30s! Def not the best weather!''

When Lane Kiffin said he did not know what was wrong with Dillon Baxter, it probably is a good thing for Baxter. Consider that twice this season, Kiffin said players (Khaled Holmes, C.J. Gable) were probably out for the season with injuries that either caused them to miss no time (Holmes) or just a couple weeks (Gable).

Seems like a good time to get that forum going again tonight.

Lane Kiffin was asked tonight about Washington's black uniforms.
``I don't see that ever happening at SC,'' Kiffin said.
But he made it sound more like others would prevent him from happening than himself. Kiffin allowed Tennessee to wear black jerseys last year and said, ``10,000 (fans) walked out when we came out of the tunnel.''
He also supported USC players wearing black socks this season, which players have tried to do for years.
``I do like to give players things that make them feel good about themselves,'' Kiffin said.
The black socks were shot down two years ago by then-athletic director Mike Garrett and apparently again this year by current AD Pat Haden.

As we noted on twitter, Marc Tyler gets the start at tailback. A rare time when Lane Kiffin named the starter early.
``I just thought after his production and being finally healthy, it's his job to lose,'' Kiffin said.
Dillon Baxter was at practice but did not play after being hospitalized with an illness. Kiffin said he did not know what was wrong with Baxter.
``Everyone that is healthy will make the trip,'' Kiffin said regarding Baxter's status.

Matt Barkley did not make the cut of the top 10 poll of 59 actual Heisman voters by StiffArmTrophy.com. Here's the full results:

Can anyone get the right score on tonight's UCLA-Washington game? I'd rather watch the warmups than the game to see how Norm Chow and Steve Sarkisian ignore each other for 45 minutes.

More answers!

Breaking into the new Open Forum.

USC defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin compares Oregon State tailback Jacquizz Rodgers to an all-time NFL great. as Lane Kiffin decries USC's lack of intensity.

Does anyone even remember that Robert Woods practiced at cornerback the week of the Cal game? Seems like it was intended as something to make an opposing coach worry about and nothing more now.

That nice start to the season came to an abrupt end tonight as Rider routed the Trojans. Rider?!?!?!? Was Mercer unavailable?
UPDATED: Actually, Mercer was unavailable, losing to Tim Floyd and UTEP on Sunday. At least Floyd finally beat Mercer. Maybe UTEP can schedule Cal State Northridge next.

We've tried to focus on the fact USC wants to sign three JC offensive linemen, preferably in January. Here's one to keep an eye on: David Garness, a 6-6, 290 pound tackle from City College of San Francisco.

Almost finished with last week's forum.

I've set this up for the commenters from both schools that like to speak to each other with this warning. If you use inappropriate language, it will be your last post here.

Brandon Carswell is staying, Allen Bradford talks to Lane Kiffin and Kiffin reacts to that Raiders' decision.

Tight end Blake Ayles missed last week's game with a concussion. He said tonight he would return to practice tomorrow.

Lane Kiffin said tonight that cornerback T.J. Bryant's been slowed this season by a shoulder injury that might require surgery by the end of the week. Kiffin said he originally hoped Bryant could hold out until the end of the season. Cornerback Brian Baucham was also out today with what did not appear to be anything serious and cornerback Torin Harris was ``limited,'' according to Kiffin.
Allen Bradford met with Kiffin this morning regarding his lack of playing time. Bradford said there were no hard feelings toward Kiffin and he merely wanted to know why he did not play. A similar meeting took place after the Minnesota game. Kiffin said fumbles as the main reason for not playing. Kicker Joe Houston was 3 for 5 tonight on field goals.

Although USC has nine scholarships available in January, it is important to remember that fullback Soma Vainuku, who was ineligible in the fall, is expected to be one of the those nine. So that technically means eight are available.

In this segment, some old familiar faces from USC's glory days are discussed.

The Gold Sheet picks Oregon State to defeat USC, 27-24.

Remember to follow us at twitter.com/InsideUSC for immediate practice updates.

Even more answers from the Open Forum.

Apparently NCAA sanctions prevented anyone from USC being on the Pac-10's first-team All-Academic team.

Lots of questions to answer.

USC linebacker Devon Kennard is a second-team selection on the Pac-10's All-Academic Team. Well, I think it's Kennard because the Versus Conference press release says, ``Devon Kennedy.''
Quarterback Matt Barkley, offensive guard Khaled Holmes and offensive guard Michael Reardon were honorable mention.

Seattle Seahawks coach Pete Carroll has refused to kick a field goal on fourth down three times this season and is 0 for 3 when he went for it. Maybe he will realize he is not coaching college football anymore.

``Since the bye, over those three games, our special teams is playing as well as any team in the country.''

Oregon State is trying to snap its first two-game Pac-10 losing streak since 2007.

That is the Trojans' ranking in this week's Sagarin ratings.

USC coach Lane Kiffin's greivance against the Raiders for unpaid salary was denied by an NFL arbitrator, according to this ESPN report.

USC defensive tackle DaJohn Harris quietly won a starting spot again on the defensive line, which means Armond Armstead remains on the edge while Wes Horton and Nick Perry alternate at defensive end.

Here is my college basketball Top 25 ballot for today's Associated Press poll.

Time for post-Arizona questions while we finish up last week's session. One question per person please.

USC slipped to 116th in pass defense this week. They are now tied with UCLA's pass offense, which is also 116th.

Here are the grades for the USC-Arizona game.

Although the Pac-10 currently has just three bowl-eligible teams, USC coach Lane Kiffin said he agreed with power rankings that say the conference is the best in the country.
``We've played two teams (Oregon, Stanford) as good as anyone in the country,'' Kiffin said.

Lane Kiffin on why he didn't have Shareece Wright defend Juron Criner more last night.
``Shareece gave up two touchdowns himself,'' Kiffin said. ``Shareece would be the first to say he's not playing great.''

USC is favored by three points over Oregon State.

Oregon and Auburn remained 1-2 in the BCS standings while TCU and Boise State remained 3-4.

Former USC wide receiver Mike Williams caught 10 passes for 123 yards so far with the Caesarhawks up 26-10 on the Cardinals in the fourth quarter.

Pacific 66, UTEP 61. Tim Floyd lost his opener yesterday. But it could be worse. He lost to Cal State Northridge in his first game at USC.

I spent some time talking to a representative of the Alamo Bowl at last night's game. Ironically, if USC were bowl eligible, it would be in a strong position to go to the Alamo Bowl this year.
But the bowl really doesn't know yet who will come from the Pac-10. If Oregon goes to the BCS title game and Stanford goes to a BCS bowl, Arizona seems likely. But the Wildcats look to be sinking are would not be the most attractive visitor. And how many fans would we-can't-draw-50,000 fans Stanford bring to San Antonio?
The bowl really wished USC was bowl eligible.

Here is this week's Top 25 ballot for the Associated Press, with a new No. 1 team.

Associated Press photo
USC went into Tucson and pulled off its most respectable victory of the season while setting up a big three-game finish to the regular season.

Winners: Auburn, Boise State, South Carolina.
Losers: Oregon, TCU, Urban Meyer (as a general rule, always a good thing).

Linebacker Michael Morgan was asked about the Trojans being underdogs tonight.
``I've never felt like an underdog my whole career,'' Morgan said. ``Even if we're down I always feel like we can win. We're 'SC. We play ball.''

Lane Kiffin was asked what the officials said to him about the offsides penalty that brought back Shareece Wright's two-point return on the blocked extra point.
``I would get the official in a lot of trouble if I told you what he told me,'' Kiffin said.

Monte Kiffin was unhappy with USC's third-down defense tonight.
``To give up a third-and-12 (in the first half) and let them hit a seam route, you can't do that,'' Kiffin said.

``The critics thought we'd lose. We're the underdogs. It's big. Real big for us. We're playing for us right now. It's the seniors' last four games in college and we want to go out in style.''
-- USC cornerback Shareece Wright

``I was able to come into the game with fresh legs and I felt great. Now I feel terrible and my ankle hurts. But during the game I felt good.''
-- USC tailback Marc Tyler

Lane Kiffin gets his first victory over a top 25 team if the Trojans close out.

Again, the defense rests (on both sides). The QBs are a combined 31 for 41 and Nick Foles has 2 TDs while Matt Barkley's thrown 1.

The two quarterbacks have completed 26 of their first 28 passes.

After one quarter, the Trojans are off to a flying start, thanks to a forced fumble by Shareece Wright. The crowd's been subdued so far.

The Trojans use some no-huddle and rely on two big plays by TB Marc Tyler to score first.

Updates will be posted here and on twitter.

Freshman wide receiver Markeith Ambles, who just came off a suspension this week for poor academic performance, made the trip to Tucson. He cannot redshirt so might as well bring him.

OK, basketball season starts today with the Trojans hosting UC Irvine. Here's five questions surrounding the program as the season starts.

Lane Kiffin is 1-0 in November as USC's coach. Can he make it 2-0 tonight in the desert?

USC's pass defense might be ranked 114th nationally but Arizona has its own frailty: The Wildcats' red-zone offense is ranked 98th nationally.

OK, it's time to pick the score. If anyone picks the correct score, they receive a copy of the new book, ``Death To The BCS, The definitive case against the BCS championship'' by Dan Wetzel, Josh Peter and Jeff Passan. Valid email address required for all entries.

USC quarterback Matt Barkley finished 20th in this week's poll of 58 actual Heisman Trophy voters by StiffArmTrophy.com. Full results after the jump:

There's been a lot of opinions about Auburn quarterback Cam Newton's Heisman Trophy bid. But only one definitive poll: StiffArmTrophy.com polled 58 actual voters and 46 said the allegations made no difference.

USC tailback Allen Bradford said he does not feel like he is in Lane Kiffin's doghouse.

USC's facing a constant numbers crunch with scholarship limititations, which figures to only heighten in the next three years.

USC's offensive line is in desperate need of recruits and today Cody Temple of Bakersfield committed to the Trojans. He picked USC over schools like Washington State and Fresno State, which shows USC just wants linemen.
USC also received a commitment from defensive tackle Sheldon Richardson of College of the Sequoias. He switched his commitment from Missouri. If there is any way to get Richardson to enroll early, USC will push it.

The post-practice press conference is usually not the most interesting thing to observe. But tonight Lane Kiffin was asked if Allen Bradford was in his doghouse and said he wasn't. So I asked him who was in the doghouse?
``You are,'' Kiffin said.
``That's not news,'' I responded.
``You live in there,'' Kiffin added.
You watch the exchange at the 2:02 mark here.

USC quarterback Matt Barkley on what he would like to do the rest of the season.
``One of my goals is not to throw any picks the rest of the season,'' he said.

Lane Kiffin talked again tonight about Matt Barkley playing less on ``emotions,'' citing his two interceptions after USC blocked punts against Washington State and Arizona State.
But Barkley disagreed with Kiffin.
``I really don't let emotions get into my play,'' he said. ``I'm usually unemotional.''

The USC-Arizona game will be televised to just 19 percent of the nation by ABC on Saturday night and not even to the entire state of Arizona, as this graphic illustrates.

USC is 3-6 against the spread this season. Washington State is 6-4.

The Gold Sheet picks Arizona to defeat USC, 38-28.

If you follow Caesar's twitter, you would not even know the Seahawks played a game last weekend.

We mentioned yesterday that USC still has not even sold out its tickets for the UCLA game at the Rose Bowl.
And then there is Stanford. The Cardinal drew only 43,506 to last week's game against Arizona. The Cardinal have not even sold out its Cal game tickets, humorously referred to as ``Big Game,'' by Bay Area fans.
This week, Stanford told fans who placed a deposit on season tickets for next year the, ``guaranteed ability to purchase 2010 bowl game tickets for whichever bowl game Stanford is selected to participate.''

Safety Marshall Jones could make his first career start as Jawanza Starling is slowed by a hamstring injury.

Let's see if correspondent Kari Van Horn selected your question from the Open Forum for this week's video mailbag.

Tailback Marc Tyler was limited Wednesday but said he would return tomorrow. His ankle did not appear to be bothering him after practice.
``I'm healthy, I'm moving really good on my ankle,'' Tyler said, as he danced a little on his ankle to demonstrate his health.

The Pac-12 agreed to play in the New Mexico Bowl in 2012 and 2013 against a Mountain West team. So after teasing fans with things like the addition of Texas as a member, we have the addition of one of the worst bowls in the nation.

And the forum is finally wrapped up.

USC fans have not even sold out the allotment of tickets for the Rose Bowl?

Almost done with last week's questions.

A member of the USC football program on Tuesday night: ``What are the odds (Seattle Seahawks offensive coordinator) Jeremy Bates makes it to Year 2?''

USC will receive letters of intent today from three basketball players: Guard Alexis Moore of Long Beach Poly, guard Byron Wesley from Etiwanda High School and center James Blasczyk of Lee Community College in Texas.

ESPN wanted USC play its game with Oregon on a Thursday night? USC declined the offer. Parking would be non-existent on a weekday on campus, which has 7,000 parking spots for Coliseum games compared to 5,000 in the stadium area.
I'm sure Larry Scott will keep pushing Thursday night games in the future as part of his ``modernization'' efforts with the conference. But it's a horrible idea for USC. And probably Washington, which caved in for its game next week with UCLA.

Photo by Jon Soo Hoo
USC coach Lane Kiffin lauds the offense's production even if others don't always see it but criticizes Matt Barkley for trying to do too much.

It's time to discuss the latest issues surrounding USC football with myself and correspondent Jackie Grant.

USC coach Lane Kiffin said tonight that Matt Barkley's biggest problem remains being too anxious to make throws in games. It's an enigmatic problem considering Barkley's made more than 20 college starts and should be comfortable in games.

USC's first basketball game of the season against UC Irvine on Saturday will be on 1260-AM instead of 710-AM. Apparently, the game is being pre-empted for USC football pre-game. But you already knew USC was a football school.

I wasn't able to make it at 3:30 p.m. as originally planned, so here's the replay of yesterday's highly entertaining interview with Petros and Money, in case you missed it.

USC did not have to deal with Arizona State punter Trevor Hankins because he was arrested for a DUI, it has emerged. Perhaps more importantly, Hahnkins was the holder on field goals and extra points.

This question on playcalling gets its own segment.

UCLA announced that the USC game will kick off at 7:30 p.m. at the Rose Bowl. Here we go again with a second straight crosstown rivalry played on a cold night in late November/early December. Bet you can't wait.

We're finishing up last week's forum today.

We hear USC safety Patrick Hall will probably get a shot at tailback either in spring drills or next summer's training camp.

Time to ask post-ASU and pre-Arizona game questions as we finish up last week's forum. One per person please.

Photo by Jon Soo Hoo
USC coach Lane Kiffin is not as eager to say the Trojans are ready to make a run like they did at the end of the 2001 season and offensive tackle Tyron Smith said he is ready to resume practice full time.

USC's third-down conversion rate last season was 35.7 percent. The Seattle Caesarhawks third-down conversion rate is currently 33.6 percent.

Monday Night Football? Who cares? Here's Monday night answers.

Remember to follow us on twitter.com/InsideUSC.

I will be on the Petros and Money show (570-AM) around 3:30 p.m. today.

In this week's bowl matchup, USC's pass defense is ranked 114th while UCLA's pass offense is ranked 117th.
By the way, this headline is the standing feature I started Saturday for those of you to deposit your comments that obsess on the USC-UCLA rivalry.

More answers on a Monday.

USC is ineligible for the BCS rankings but is ranked 20th in this week's Sagarin ratings.

Time to answer some of the questions that were not answered last week on the blog or in the Video Mailbag.

Here are the grades for the USC-Arizona State game.

Lane Kiffin praised the special teams and Robert Woods said he will be fine against Arizona.

Torin Harris returned the blocked extra point for the key two-point play to help defeat Arizona State, but his ensuing penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct and play at cornerback did not impress Lane Kiffin.
``Torin didn't play very well (on defense), which was disappointing,'' Kiffin said. ``He gave up the first play of the game (a 54-yard pass completion).''
As for the penalty? ``(I was) extremely upset,'' Kiffin said. ``That was an extremely selfish move by him.''

Lane Kiffin was surprised Arizona State coach Dennis Erickson did not go for 2 points after the Sun Devils took a 33-29 lead on a touchdown.
``I was,'' Kiffin said. ``Our chart says go for it. It kind of looks on the sidelines like they were thinking about it.''

USC is a 5.5-point underdog against Arizona.

Mr. Coffee (Jeremy Bates) lost the time of possession battle, 42:34 to 17:26, in the Caesarhawks' 41-17 loss to the New York Giants. But he did go 1 for 8 on third down, an improvement on last week's 1 for 16.

After Oregon went on a 24-0 run to close out last week's game, Arizona State outscored USC 19-0 before the Trojans rallied with a blocked extra point and field goal. The one difference in the two scoring streaks is that the defense was not really at fault for most of it with the Sun Devils scoring on a kickoff return and interception for a touchdown.

``I really felt like, `Finally.' We just hadn't had many breaks this year where things go our way. It's really good for our players in such a rollercoaster game. Hopefully it's one of those games that brings you closer as a team and you finish the year well.''
-- USC coach Lane Kiffin on winning a close game

Marc Tyler said his sprained ankle was not too serious and appeared to OK after the game.

Although last night's attendance was announced at 68,000, we heard the actual number of fans at the game was 57,000.

Here is this week's ballot for the Associated Press poll.

Before Lane Kiffin left the Coliseum last night, I informed him that Kai Forbath attended USC's summer camp before his senior year of high school and wanted to kick for the Trojans. But Pete Carroll was not impressed with the way a clearly nervous Forbath punted a couple times in front of him and chose to ignore his actual game performances.
The rest, as they say, is history.

Why didn't Arizona State coach Dennis Erickson go for 2 points with a 33-29 lead?
``I was thinking of going for 2 but was talked out of it,'' Erickson said. ``Obviously it wouldn't have been blocked if we went for 2 but who knows what would have happened.''

USC cornerback Shareece Wright said Arizona State kicker Thomas Weber intentionally pulled his field goal in the final minutes because the Trojans were getting good penetration up the middle.

``I knew what I had to do. We practice it every day. We've been waiting for a block.''
-- USC cornerback Torin Harris on his PAT return

``All in all, after what we went through the past four games, I'm just happy to get a win.''
-- USC coach Lane Kiffin

I can't pin this on the defense, which scored a TD and then saw the offense give up an INT return and the special teams botch a kick return. It just has average team written all over it.

Can the Trojans hang on after building a 15-point lead?

Here's a new feature for the blog. This is a place where all of you who talk about nothing besides whether USC or UCLA is better can reside.

Looks like the Oregon hangover is in effect.

We definitely have the smallest crowd of the season tonight. It's going to be really interesting to see what USC announces the number as.

Not a great day for Lane Kiffin's RPI. Duke beats Virginia. Hawaii is demolished by Boise State. And Minnehaha falls to 1-9.

Game updates will be split between the blog and the twitter box on the right side of this home page.

The Trojans want to prevent their season from going into a complete meltdown and face an unenviable two-game road trip to Arizona and Oregon State without a victory since Oct. 16. Coach Lane Kiffin simplifies some of the offense to prevent so many audibles from the sideline. The Trojans' nickel defense actually shows it can stop an effective Pacific-10 Conference passer.

Coach Dennis Erickson wants to save his job. The Sun Devils decide they are tired of losing to the Trojans regularly, last winning in the series in 1999. The Trojans are put off by what is expected to be their smallest crowd of the season and feeling a post-Oregon hangover. Quarterback Steven Threet throws five touchdown passes and less than two interceptions

If USC does not win today, where will the next victory come from?

USC students will be furious when they realize that next year's USC-Cal game will be played on a Thursday night (Oct. 13). The Weekender will be a Weekdayer.

Senior tailback Allen Bradford reflects on his career as he approaches his final five college games.

It's the first edition where I answer reader questions with correspondent Jackie Grant. See if your Open Forum question was one of the selected entries for this segment.

OK, it's time to pick the score. If anyone picks the correct score, they receive a copy of the new book, ``Death To The BCS, The definitive case against the BCS championship'' by Dan Wetzel, Josh Peter and Jeff Passan. Valid email address required for all entries.

Here is the statement released today for next year's Pac-12 Conference football schedule and every game and its date.

Is USC tripping itself up at times by changing plays from the sideline after players break the huddle?

USC quarterback Matt Barkley dropped out of this week's Heisman Trophy poll of 61 actual voters by StiffArmTrophy.com. Full results after the jump:

The Denver Post reports that USC plays at Colorado on Nov. 5 in 2011. That could be good news for the Trojans, who will not have to travel to Salt Lake City next season to play Utah if the schedule alternates home/road games with Colorado and Utah.

Here is the latest episode of USC Report with myself and correspondent Kari Van Horn. In tonight's episode, I even make a bold prediction about the score of Saturday's game.

USC spokesperson James Grant resigned to become assistant vice chancellor for strategic communications at UC Riverside. Grant was a refreshing person to deal with during the prickly period when the inaccessible Mike Garrett and Steve Sample were bungling the period when USC was under NCAA investigation and dealt with sanctions.

Tailback Marc Tyler on his bruised lower back this week.
``It's the same (as last week). It's not going to get better until after the season.''

This is the point in the season where you can hit a wall, especially if you are struggling. I asked a USC player how he was doing this week. His answer? ``Maintaining.''

Oregon is a 17/10 favorite to win the BCS title according to Bodog.com. It might surprise you who is second? Full list after the jump:

Some questions about Oregon highlight this segment.

Time to answer questions!

USC tailback Dillon Baxter thinks he's finally mastered his classes and is ready to have a big game.

Here is tonight's episode of USC Report where I discuss several issues regarding the football program with correspondent Kari Van Horn.

With Malcolm Smith healthy and back at weakside linebacker, Chris Galippo is back at middle linebacker and challenging Devon Kennard for the starting spot.
``We're looking at that position very closely,'' Lane Kiffin said. ``We're rotating both (in practice) and we'll see Saturday who is playing best for us.''

USC shut down the hydraulic lift parked on the street across from Howard Jones Field. The fact cars drove by was one consideration. There never was a lift on the street until a few years ago when Pete Carroll decided he needed a higher view than was possible with the lifts on the field. A camera man is now filming atop the roof of the baseball office adjacent to Howard Jones Field. This is in response to last week's fatal accident at Notre Dame.

The timing of tailback Curtis McNeal's academic ineligibility struck me as odd since it occurred well into the season. Apparently, he did not earn a required grade on a summer class and it took longer-than-usual for everything to get settled.
There was a chance the issue could have gone to academic review to see if McNeal could regain his eligibility but in the current post-NCAA sanctions atmosphere, that is less likely to happen.
So McNeal, who is attending classes, is out until spring football.

Is this the way the future plays out?

Arizona State: W
Arizona: L
Oregon State: L
Notre Dame: W
UCLA: W

That would make USC 8-5. A pretty unforgettable season. I'd caution,however, that this is the optimistic view, because the odds of losing one of those three supposed victories seems greater than winning one of those two losses. On the other hand, beating your archrivals would make everyone happy, no matter how much those teams might be struggling.
Bottom line: There will still be plenty of twists the final five weeks.

USC safety T.J. McDonald said the defense was at fault for allowing Oregon's receivers to go virtually uncovered on some big plays.
``We had some blown assignments and coverages,'' he said. ``That's on us.''

This is a critical game for USC to salvage its season and Tuesday's practice was energetic. But it was disconcerting when someone on campus who follows the football team closely asked me who the Trojans were playing this week.

I joked with Lane Kiffin last night that the big prize of the season would be whether USC's pass defense (114th) or UCLA's pass offense (116th) would finish ranked higher this season. Kiffin asked me if that was my idea for a bowl game.
I told it was and my prize would have the lower-ranked coach fired. He smiled so it's good to see he still has a sense of humor.

USC used 41 scholarship players against Oregon.

Photo by Jon Soo Hoo
Lane Kiffin tore apart the offensive line Tuesday as the post-Oregon fallout continued.

Lane Kiffin said tonight USC athletic director Pat Haden and administrators are reviewing the safety of filming football practices with hydraulic lifts in the wake of last week's fatal accident at Notre Dame.
One specific concern is the location of a lift on the street outside Howard Jones Field, where cars pass daily. USC uses three hydraulic lifts to film every football practice.

With all the confusion over what happened with the fumbled snap play against Oregon, it now appears the problem was that quarterback Matt Barkley inadvertantly raised his foot twice instead of one time, which caused center Kris O'Dowd to snap the ball while Barkley looked at Lane Kiffin,

As we mentioned on twitter, Marshall Jones is getting a long look this week to unseat Jawanza Starling at strong safety. But the bigger surprise is at left guard, where Michael Reardon will work with the first team all week because Lane Kiffin said production was not satisfactory with Butch Lewis.
Today, Lewis practiced at tackle because Tyron Smith rested his sore ankle.

Although USC is favored by 5.5 points over Arizona State, the Gold Sheet thinks the Sun Devils will pull off the upset, 30-27.

Last year I nicknamed Jeremy Bates ``Mr. Coffee'' because he used to insist on having three cups of coffee before a game. Even worse, he instructed the staff to make it for him.
A USC alum told me this morning that Bates can now drink Seattle's Best Coffee as the NFL's worst offensive coordinator.

Here is Lane Kiffin on Saturday night: ``I didn't feel fatigue was as much as an issue as I thought.''
Here is Lane Kiffin Sunday night: ``They wore us down.''

Lane Kiffin this morning was asked what advice he had for Washington coach Steve Sarkisian playing Oregon without QB Jake Locker.
``Going up there without his quarterback, he's going to have his hands full,'' Kiffin said.

Photo by Brian Davies/Eugene Register-Guard
Was Lane Kiffin's interference that led to the fumbled snap the key play in USC's loss to Oregon? At least one player thought so.

Oregon had 51 players against USC. The Trojans used 47.

USC coach Lane Kiffin on Arizona State linebacker Vontaze Burfict, who originally committed to the Trojans.
``When he wants to turn it on, he just dominates the game. I wish he was here,'' Kiffin said.

In my story for today's paper, I mentioned that quarterback Matt Barkley lacks a signature victory in his career. Some of you mentioned the Ohio State game last season. I did not count it because the defense set up one touchdown and on the game-winning drive Joe McKnight did a lot of the work (and Stafon Johnson scored the winning TD).
Maybe Washington was a chance but Lane Kiffin repeatedly mentioned the third-down incompletion that forced Joe Houston's missed field goal and then there was the incompletion to an open David Ausberry in the end zone.
Stanford? That was a good case with the last-minute touchdown to put USC ahead. But USC lost that game so it cannot count. I'd add that on a key drive in the fourth quarter there were two bad incompletions to Ronald Johnson (each was at fault on different plays) and it looked like USC was sunk until the Trojans forced a fumble.
So I'll leave it here to debate if he does have a signature victory or not?

USC is 21st in the latest Sagarin ratings, which are a combination of his BCS rankings, which do not consider margin of victory, and his "predictor" rankings, which do. Sagarin has Oregon No. 1 and Stanford No. 3.

USC is now a 5.5-point favorite over Arizona State after opening at 7 points.

USC would like to sign three junior-college offensive linemen for next season. One of them is expected to be former Tennessee offensive tackle Aaron Douglas, who is currently attending Arizona Western, and should enroll in January.
The Trojans are also recruiting his teammate at Arizona Western, offensive tackle Korian Chambers. He would need to sign in February, which means he would not be one of the nine mid-year signings USC wants to sign.

Time to ask questions regarding the Oregon game. Or anything else. One question per person please.

Here are the grades for the USC-Oregon game:

USC coach Lane Kiffin blamed himself for Matt Barkley's woes while Oregon's La Michael James set a Coliseum rushing record for an opponent.