Blake Ayles News

As you watchUSC host Arizona tomorrow afternoon, you might see some of these interesting bits and pieces: USC is 8-3 ,ranked #20 in the AP, #18 in theBCSand #19 in the Coaches' poll Arizona is7-4 , unranked Winner ties for 2nd place Loser finishes in 6th place, or a 5th place tie, in the Pac-10 USC is favored by 7 points Kickoff: 12:36 p.m. PDT at ...

For the first time since 2001, the Trojans are not playing its last regular season game for the right to go to a BCS bowl.

More stuff about Saturday's USC/UCLA game: Signature Victories : USC's top 10 wins over the Bruins.

USC coach Pete Carroll's initial reaction to the news that Notre Dame fired Charlie Weis on Monday? Empathy.

For 55 minutes, it was another dismal performance for the USC offense. Trojan freshman quarterback Matt Barkley was inconsistent.

It was difficult to tell who was happier Tuesday -- USC receiver Damian Williams or quarterback Matt Barkley .

Kristofer O'Dowd is used to being in the middle of the action, so you can imagine how difficult the past several weeks have been for USC's junior center, who has been stuck watching from the sideline.

Damian Williams, USC's leading receiver and punt returner, continues to be a question mark heading into Saturday's showdown against UCLA.

Pete Carroll has seen the scenario unfold before. A team struggles through the first part of its conference schedule and appears to be out of the bowl picture.

USC is 10 games into the season, but the Trojans' offense is still making mistakes indicative of the early season.

The thought of USC winning a national championship disappeared a few weeks ago and the program degenerated to its lowest level in eight years after last weekend's embarrassing loss to Stanford.

While emphatically reiterating his support for Matt Barkley, USC quarterbacks coach Jeremy Bates revealed some of the areas in which the touted freshman can improve.

A And USC has certainly fallen with a thud. How can one of the most superlative stretches in the Trojans' storied history end in such devastation? It's one thing to have an off season and lose three or four games.

View full size photo>> So, Stanford is not to be taken lightly... It would appear that they are really up for this game.

Wide receiver Damian Williams is out. Tight end Anthony McCoy is in. And backup tight end Blake Ayles is doubtful.

USC can't possible lose two weeks in a row can they? That pretty much seems to be the consensus from all the pundits and analysts.

Here are my top five observations on USC 14, Arizona State 9 : 1. The Trojans aren't who we thought they were.

USC wanted to make an emphatic statement following last week's game that everyone wanted to forget against Oregon.

Even the most fervent Trojan fan had to have his/her expectations somewhat tempered before USC faced the University of Oregon in Eugene on Halloween.

USC's defense was under fire during and after the Trojans' blowout loss against Oregon, media and fans alike assessing the damage and possible causes.