Nice shutout, but...

the offense took some major steps back today. Nice to see the defense really step up today, pitching a shutout, forcing four turnovers, collecting three sacks, blocking two field goals, and a partridge in a pear tree (points after interception, PAINT, lol). But the offense was very anemic, especially in the third quarter, where the Trojans started off with four possessions that ended in fumble, interception, interception, interception. Arizona State took full advantage of those turnovers, going blocked field goal, blocked field goal (going -20 yards in three plays), punt, and punt. Ugh. Mark Sanchez reverted, to, um, really Sanchez? Can't blame the lost fumble after being blindsided, but the interception on the screen play was terrible. The receivers are not helping Sanchez out with all of the drops, especially Damian Williams on Sanchez's third pick, as well as Ronald Johnson and Williams dropping bombs as well. Oh well. CB Kevin Thomas had a career game, with a sack and an interception returned for a touchdown, USC's second defensive touchdown after not having one since 2005. Woot for the defense indeed. But I guess when you complain about a 28 points loss, things can't be going too bad. As for the Pac-10 rankings...

1. USC (4-1, 2-1) - Two straight wins ties for the longest win streak in the conference (seriously...). Another dominant perfomance on the defensive side; always nice to see a shutout, but questions on the offense arise as the Trojans make the trek up to play Washington State. Over/under on the spread for this one: 37, though USC will probably have trouble covering this one (a la Stanford?).
2. California (4-1, 2-0) - Bye week should have helped settle the QB controversy between Kevin Riley and Nate Longshore, and hopefully gave RB Jahvid Best some extra time to recover from his elbow injury. The Golden Bears play Arizona next week in Tuscon, but the matchup lost some luster when the Wildcats were upset by Stanford. Cal is the only remaining undefeated team in Pac-10 play, and would be in serious contention for the top spot had they not lost to Maryland.
3. Oregon (5-2, 3-1) - Oregon showed that if you let UCLA hang close, they will bite you, and the Bruins almost took a chunk out of the Ducks. The Ducks passed for only 40 yards, but ran for over 300 in holding off UCLA. They were able to bounce back after being trounced by USC, and now have a bye week to settle their own QB controversy with Justin Roper coming back from a concussion. After the bye, they travel to Tempe to face a reeling Arizona State squad.
4. Stanford (4-3, 3-1) - Is the Pac-10 really this weak? Ugh. Arizona blew a chance to take a huge step to becoming bowl eligible while the Cardinal took a giant leap in their bowl chances. Stanford now has a really winable game against UCLA in the Rose Bowl next week, and if they are able to beat the Bruins, they are a lock to make a bowl game, with Wazzu still on their schedule. Nice win for Stanford.
5. Oregon State (3-3, 2-1) - Washington State is the cureall for reeling Pac-10 teams. Dominant 66-13 win, with the Beavers taking care of business. Tough loss against Utah last week, but they have a favorable stretch of games coming up (@ Washington, vs. Arizona State, @ UCLA) which should get them to being bowl eligible. Oregon State is very dangerous down the stretch, so I wouldn't be surprised to see them win 5 of their last 6 games
6. Arizona (4-2, 2-1) - The Wildcats should very well be 6-0 right now, but instead have only themselves to blame. Three field goals from inside the 10 yard line won't get it done. And they could not stop Stanford's run game either. Arizona hosts Cal next week, and will need to get the kinks out before USC arrives in Tuscon the following week. With only one gimme left on the schedule (Wazzu...), the Wildcats need to have another late season upset to make a bowl game.
7. UCLA (2-4, 1-2) - The Gutty Little Bruins showed some spunk in Eugene, maybe with Oregon letting UCLA hang in the game too long. Teams need to put UCLA away quickly, because the Bruins are a very dangerous team when they are in striking distance. Good to see that UCLA did not just roll over, but coaching mistakes (poor clock management at the end of the first half, going for an onside kick in the third quarter, not going for an onside kick down 24-17 late in the game) may have cost UCLA a chance to steal the game. They host an upstart Stanford team looking to continue their nice little hot streak.
8. Arizona State (2-4, 1-2) - The preseason pick to finish second in the conference is on a nasty four game losing streak, starting with the terrible loss to UNLV, then being dominated by Georgia, beaten by Cal, then shutout by the Trojans. At least Arizona State won't lose next week (bye), but the following week, they get to host an Oregon team looking to establish their spot as #2 in the Pac-10 pecking order.
9. Washington (0-5, 0-3) - At least they didn't lose by 53. Though Oregon State is in the home stretch of their schedule, a time when the Beavers are almost unbeatable.
10. Washington State (1-5, 0-4) - If I could put the Cougs lower, I would. At least they won't be playing a team coming off a loss, as it seems like Washington State is the cureall for struggling teams. But then again, the Trojans may look to sharpen their offense against a team allowing 55.8 points per game in conference play. Even that game in Hawaii doesn't look like a gimme anymore. 1-12 anyone?

And more shuffling in the top 25, with no teams in the top 4 winning (Alabama had a bye). Whoa.

1. Texas (6-0)
2. Alabama (6-0)
3. Penn State (7-0)
4. Oklahoma (5-1)
5. USC (4-1)
6. Brigham Young (6-0)
7. Texas Tech (6-0)
8. Florida (5-1)
9. Georgia (5-1)
10. Missouri (5-1)
11. Louisiana State (4-1)
12. Utah (7-0)
13. Ohio State (6-1)
14. Oklahoma State (6-0)
15. Boise State (5-0)
16. South Florida (5-1)
17. Kansas (5-1)
18. Tulsa (6-0)
19. Ball State (7-0)
20. Michigan State (6-1)
21. Wake Forest (4-1)
22. Vanderbilt (5-1)
23. Virginia Tech (5-1)
24. North Carolina (5-1)
25. Texas Christian (6-1)