From David Leon Moore, USA TODAY:

No. 2 in the country.

No. 3 in the Pacific-10 Conference?

That’s the perception some people have this week of Southern California, whose three-year run at or near the top of the polls continues despite a series of squeaker-type wins against supposed mediocre, middle-of-the-pack Pac-10 teams.

PERCEPTION: Close games or squeker-type wins are bad.

A CLOSER LOOK: Not so fast Kimosabe. USC not only got deserved wins from Arizona, Washington State, Washington and Arizona State, but new “go-to” guys were discovered.

At Arizona, we saw the emergence of a gamebreaker in Emmanuel Moody (136 yards rushing, one bust for 40 yards and proof that he is a threat to take it to the house on any given play).

Washington State, the dependable guy Steve Smith, taking over a game, which we haven’t seen since the 2005 Orange Bowl (186 yards receiving, 2 TDs, two fourth down conversions, and three critical third down conversions).

A visit from Washington gave rise to the second twin tower, Patrick Turner (116 yards and a touchdown).

A man on a mission, Chauncey Washington, became absolutely possesed late in the game against ASU, pounding out 64 of the 74 yards on a game-winning touchdown drive.

Are we glad that Oregon, Cal, and Notre Dame are late in the schedule and at home? You bet we are. USC will be 8-0 and in rare form by then…

Bottom line on Southern Cal: 6-0 — But will Trojans withstand all comers? [USA Today]