For the first time since the middle of the 2002 season, the separation (at least this year) between USC and the Pac-10 is not evident. The Trojans 14-9 victory over Arizona Sate was a clear indication that USC looks like any other solid Pac-10 team and they are fortunate to finish with 3 straight home games.

The Trojans will need to play well in all phases to successfully defend the Coliseum turf against 3 tough opponents (Stanford and Arizona are ranked and in the Rose Bowl race and you have the crosstown rivalry with UCLA). If they are able to win the final three, another trip to Pasadena is still very much alive. If they struggle, a match-up with Oklahoma in the Sun Bowl is easily be in the cards.

The Pac-10 is extremely strong this year and any 1 of 5 teams would represent the conference very well against a top 15 team on a neutral field. This type of quality is why a team with two losses in conference could play in the Rose Bowl.

Notes and Analysis for the Water Cooler and IM Chats:

Barkley in a slump: Matt Barkley was 7-22 for 122 yards against Arizona State. If you take away the short pass to Damian Williams that was turned into a 75 yard touchdown, Barkley was 6-21 for 37 yards. In the second half against Oregon, he was 5-16 for 49 yards. Did Raider quarterback Jamarcus Russell take over for the Trojans?
Hopefully the offensive coaches are doing some self scouting to help Barkley make adjustments to his tendencies. Opposing defensive coaches have enough film on Barkley to truly dissect his game and it is showing. Arizona State has a great defense but his throwing numbers were awful considering Cal QB Kevin Riley threw for 351 yards the week before.

*More Barkley, offensive line, Williams injury after the jump

Barkley seems to be holding onto the ball a tad longer than needed and they can roll him out of the pocket a little more. He throws well on the move and also seems to have phenomenal accuracy on skinny posts and quick slants between the hash marks. More throws like that might help the offense.

Offensive line needs to step up: Obviously the injury to Tight End Anthony McCoy has hindered the offense, but another concerning issue is the under-performing offensive line. What was supposed to be the strength of the team and one of the best in the nation has been faltering.

They are having a tough time opening holes for the running game and giving Barkley the consistent pocket he was used to earlier in the year. Furthermore, procedure and holding calls have helped put the offense in long yardage situations.

The Trojans will not beat Stanford without a good performance from Barkley and the offensive line.

Offense dealt another tough injury: Leading Wide Receiver Damian Williams suffered a high ankle sprain against ASU and could be out several weeks. If that is the case, the Trojans desperately need Anthony McCoy and Stanley Havili to return to the line-up against Stanford.

Why does the defense celebrate tackling someone so much?: Is it just me or does it seem weird that USC players routinely celebrate making a tackle, sometime 10-15 yards down the field. Coach Carroll wants the guys to be enthusiastic and in the moment but whatever happened to expecting to make the play. It says more to your opponent when you continually make the play in a discipline fashion than celebrating every little thing. Celebrate the big plays and expect to make the rest of them.

Finish Strong: After playing 6 of the past 9 games on the road, the Trojans finish with 3 straight at home. The friendly confines of the Coliseum and not having to worry about travel and everything that comes with it will definitely help against 3 tough opponents. Stanford and Arizona are still in the Rose Bowl race along with the crosstown rivalry against UCLA.

The bye week before the UCLA game will be a huge help in getting the Trojans healthy but they need to pull out a victory against a well coached and ranked Stanford team before then.