Trojans jump to big lead, hold on against Irish

USC freshman QB Matt Barkley went 19-29 for a career-high 380 yards, 2 TD, and an INT as the Trojans held on against Notre Dame, 34-27. The Trojans needed three incompletitions from Irish QB Jimmy Clausen from the USC 4 in the final 9 seconds to preserve the win. Anthony McCoy added 5 receptions for 153 yards, and Damian Williams had 4 catches for 108 yards and 2 TDs. Joe McKnight ran for 79 yards and a score, while Everson Griffen led the defense with three sacks. In a polar opposite from their past games, the offense was on a roll while the defense struggled to hold the scrambling Irish offense, desperate to overcome a 20 point fourth quarter deflict.

After McKnight ran in a score from one yard out, it looked like another Trojan blowout in this series. But instead of fading away like Irish teams from the past, Clausen and Notre Dame WR Golden Tate did their best to turn the tide in their favor. Tate was in beast mode all game, with 8 receptions for 115 yards and 2 TD, including a sick 45 yard pass from Clausen midway through the third. With the aid of several bone-headed Trojan personal foul penalties, Clausen led the Irish methodically down the field into scoring range. But after falling asleep in the previous two drives, the Trojan defense held their ground. On first and goal from the USC 4 with nine seconds remaining, Irish TE Kyle Rudolph juggled a Clausen pass before gaining control of the ball out of bounds. On second and goal, Clausen missed on a slant on what appeared to be the game's final play. The USC sideline rushed the field before replay officials determined that one second remained for the Irish to pull off another miracle (see: Notre Dame vs. Michigan State; 2009, Notre Dame vs. Purdue; 2009, Notre Dame vs. Washington; 2009). But on third and goal, Clausen's 43rd pass of the day also fell incomplete and the Trojans were able to leave South Bend with another breath-taking victory.

The offense made plays all day. Barkley, playing in front of a third ranked road opponent, made key third down plays and limited his mistakes. His interception which led to Notre Dame's last score was partly on the Trojan playcalling; if there was EVER a time to call a safe draw play, it was there, up 14 on 3rd and 14 in your own territory. Punt the ball away there, as the defense, up to that point, was holding its own, or at least to the point where another Irish score would have eaten up the clock. But it seemed McCoy was coming up with big plays all day. The passing game was so brilliant, but don't forget about the running game, which produced a respectible 4.8 yards per carry (minus Barkley's numbers).

The defense kept pressure on Clausen all day, until the final drive. It seemed like the Golden Boy had all day to throw, and he did make some big plays, including his fourth down pass to Robby Parris which set up a first and goal from the 4. I didn't keep track, but it seemed like a majority of the Trojans' 8 penalties for 70 yards came from defensive personal foul penalties, which kept an Irish scoring drive alive. That lack of discipline has to stop sometime, right? And special teams... an average of 14 yards on kick returns, one punt return for 4 yards... you guys are saved by a HUGE blocked PAT. Why so big? I would have bet my life that Notre Dame coach Charlie Weis would have gone for 2 had they scored a touchdown, going for the win instead of overtime. Without the blocked point after attempt, Charlie was a TD and PAT away from the biggest win of his coaching career. But he goes for two in that situation. Even if I had lost that bet, I would be content with that.

Pac-10 rankings. Randomness again. There are three tiers in the Pac-10: The contenders (Oregon and USC), the bowl hopefuls (Arizona, Arizona State, California, Oregon State, Stanford, UCLA, Washington), and the Cougs (Washington State).

1. Oregon (5-1) - I don't think they overlook Washington (more on them later...) before USC comes into town on Halloween. But the Ducks only 5 point favorites? Geez.
2. USC (5-1) - Revenge game! Pete doesn't lose two in a row to anyone, right? Though Quizz remains a big question mark (no pun intended) for the Trojan D. Can they stop him? Then again, the Beavs have struggled in the Coliseum. Rose Bowl play-in game on Halloween should be fun (or not...)
   
3. Arizona (4-2) - A fluke away (pick-6 off a receivers foot which may have hit the ground) from being a legit contender to the Pac-10. Offense is scary good (two shootouts), and should get win number 5 hosting UCLA this weekend. That Iowa loss? Not so bad, eh?
4. Oregon State (4-2) - Can they overtake the angry Trojans? The Rodgers brothers will have something to say about that before the end of the day, but USC has too much depth to be worried about the Beavs.
5. California (4-2) - Look who's back? 45 points against UCLA's defense was really impressive. Not sure if anyone else will top that. Or top Jahvid Best's 93 yard run. Wazzu should help the Bears get back in the top 3 in the conference.
6. Arizona State (4-2) - A wowzer after the finish against the Huskies, but Oregon and USC shouldn't really worry about the Sun Devils. Stanford comes next for a game in bowl seeding.
7. Stanford (4-3) - No Toby Gerhart? A lot of problems for the Cardinal, even with Andrew Luck playing out of his mind.
   
8. Washington (3-4) - You douchebags. 1-3 since the USC game? Assholes. What a pathetic display on the ASU game winner too (50 yard TD pass in a tied game? Really Nick Holt? I guess it was Pete's call to play the bend but don't break D. Jackass).
9. UCLA (3-3) - An 0-3 start in conference play doesn't help, especially with a trip to Tuscon this weekend. May not be favored again until the Washington game, but a bowl seems out of reach at this point.
10. Washington State (1-5) - Poor Cougs...

And my national top 10 (cause ranking 25 teams takes too long) (rankings are BCS rankings):

1. Alabama (7-0) - Most impressive team in CFB right now. Good wins over #14 Virginia Tech and #24 South Carolina, as well as trouncing a good Ole Miss team. I would be shocked to see them lose or struggle until the SEC championship game against:
   
2. Florida (6-0) - I had Bama ranked #1 before the Gators struggled against Arkansas, needed a field goal with 11 seconds left to put the Razorbacks away. They will struggle, but should still make it to 12-0.
3. Texas (6-0) - I've always liked Oklahoma, but even without Sam Bradford, they had a chance to steal a game in this series. Now? Sun Bowl looks to be their destination.
4. Iowa (7-0) - Yeah they win ugly, but how many Trojan fans would want a ugly win over Washington now? Get past Ohio State, and they're in the running for the national championship conversation.
5. Cincinnati (6-0) - Run the table through the Big East, even if it is the Big East, and I don't mind them waiting to play in the national championship. As long as Bama/Florida and Texas don't screw around.
6. USC (5-1) - I still think this is too high, but three road wins against top 25 teams (the teams were ranked when they played) has to count for something, right? Maybe, maybe if they win a fourth against Oregon on Halloween (assuming they don't over look Oregon State)...
   
7. Boise State (6-0) - Can't take away the Oregon win, but can't ignore the rest of their schedule either.
8. Texas Christian (6-0) - Win at BYU this week, and they'll be ahead of Boise in most polls. A stronger schedule (with two OCC games against ACC teams) helps a lot when you have multiple undefeated non-BCS teams.
9. Miami (Florida) - Got punished quite a bit for losing to a not-so-bad Virginia Tech team (they were #4 entering last week's games), though the Florida State and Oklahoma wins lose some luster. Just have to keep winning, and taking the ACC crown will help.
10. Oregon (5-1) - Maybe the Ducks and Broncos should play each other later in the year... Hopefully (or maybe hopefully) Oregon doesn't over look Washington this week.