• DE Armond Armstead (wrist): Probable

• WR David Ausberry (calf): Out

• RB Allen Bradford (knee): Probable

• LB Chris Galippo (neck): Probable
• 
DE Everson Griffen (toe): Probable

• FB Stanley Havili (shoulder): Probable
• 
LB Jarvis Jones (neck): Questionable

• S Drew McAllister (hip): Out

• TE Anthony McCoy (ankle): Questionable

• RB Joe McKnight (ankle): Probable
• 
DE Nick Perry (knee): Questionable
• 
LB Malcolm Smith (shoulder): Out

• WR Damian Williams (glute): Probable

Mike Riley is a great coach: Riley proved once again that he is one of the most underrated coaches in the country. Why Tennessee (Riley has southern roots) or programs that have the infrastructure to be consistent top 15 teams have not intensely pursued him blows my mind. Riley and the OSU coaching staff had the Trojans number for the second year in a row on Saturday and he made one of the best defenses in the country look very pedestrian. Oregon State never quit and was one possession away from possibly winning the game.

The Rogers brothers aren’t too bad either. . .307 total yards and 2 touchdowns against the best defense in the Pac-10…

USC game MVP’s= Alan Bradford and Jeremy Bates: Is Lendale White back playing for the Trojans? Alan Bradford sure brought back memories of the former great Trojan tailback. The Trojans are starting to develop a mini Thunder-Lightning package which is going to really help keep opponents guessing. Bradford’s bruising style of running is complemented by deceptive top end speed that allows him to break off big runs like the 46 yard touchdown run in the second half. When Bradford is running hard it gives the Trojans offense a power mentality that fires everyone up and is the perfect compliment to a finesse style of offense.

Jeremy Bates called another fantastic game. With the exception of calling a long pass play in the 4th quarter up 13 points which was intercepted, Bates mixed up his play calling brilliantly and took advantage of a porous Oregon State pass defense. Bates continued to utilize the Tight Ends while allowing the running game to get into a rhythm.

(More on Bates and other observations after the jump)

The McKnight-Bradford duo is working well for the Trojans.

The Trojan defense kept the Notre Dame offense in check. The referees assisted the Irish all the way to the end of the game, but even that wasn't enough. Statistically speaking the Irish offense, led by ostrich Jimmy Clausen, is one of the better ones in college football. The Trojan defense is lights out!

Don't go into hibernation just yet; there are positives to be taken away from this game shown in the highlights.

Joe McKnight rushed for 100 yards on 11 carries, upping his current season total rush yards to 305. Could he be the first Trojan since Reggie Bush to rush for over 1000 yards in a season?

The offense struggled with the passing game, but there were some great runs by Stanley Havili, Stafon Johnson, and Allen Bradford.

USC's young defense did a great job containing Jake Locker and holding the Huskies to 16 points. If only the offense would have scored another touchdown or two. Sophomore Jurrell Casey and redshirt freshman Nick Perry set up camp in the Huskies' backfield.

Before the season starts no one really knows anything about anything. There are no sure things in sports. Too many variables can change a season in an instant. The experts want you think they know what they are talking about, but they really don’t. That being said, I am going to attempt to give some non-expert “homer” analysis before every game. I present to you Freerdo thoughts of the day. Here is my first edition:

USC has the one of the best and deepest offensive lines in the nation. If they can give Barkely time to throw, he will succeed. It might be nice to see the O-Line platoon. Games are won and lost on the front lines, look for the Trojans to wear out San Jose State.

Stafon Johnson is the most underrated running back in college football.

Another guy we don’t give enough love to, Stanley Havili. No one runs a better wheel route.

Ever been sitting in a movie and had to go to the bathroom? I am a fan of holding it (I hear it makes your wang bigger). But if you can’t this is a great application for your iphone. Courtesy of the Palmer Brothers.

Over Under on how many beers I will nervously drink while watching the new Matt Barkley era begin tomorrow: 7.

Speaking of 7, I love that Barkley picked that as his number. I really want this kid to succeed. He seems like a good guy.

NFL scouts, I would like to introduce you to Chris Galippo, Malcom Smith and Mike Morgan. The tradition of bad ass linebackers at USC lives on.

More thought provoking analysis after the jump...

The hills of Los Angeles are ablaze and two USC starters are down and out — one for the entire season — but the Skinny's here to quell any fear and provide the low down on what this all means.

WR Johnson Injured: USC lost starting Wide Receiver Ronald Johnson to a broken clavicle putting him on the shelf for 6-8 weeks.

The Skinny: The wide receiver depth definitely takes a hit. However, as odd as this may sound, this could end up benefiting freshman QB Matt Barkley. David Ausberry moves into the #2 Wide Receiver position providing Barkley with a 6'5 target that is very easy to find. Ausberry has had his best fall camp since being a Trojan and has made big strides with Coach Bates now leading the offense. Over the past few seasons Ausberry did not mesh well with Sarkisian's often critical and negative style and Bates seems to have breathed new life into the potential difference maker. Usually, Ausberry would look great in the spring but get lost in fall camp. This year, he has continued his fine play through fall camp and if it translates into games it will give Barkley a big target he can lean on in tight situations. He has Mike Williams like qualities and we all know the impact he had on Carson Palmer's career.

Damian Williams will be the #1 option but don't be surprised to see David Ausberry lead the team in receptions.

The injury to Johnson will also give Freshman Da'von Flourney a chance to get on the field earlier than expected. He has been extremely impressive with his playmaking ability after catching the ball. Once he gets his arms around the playbook he will be tough to keep off the field. Brice Butler is the new #3 Wide Receiver beating out Travon patterson who will now have to battle with Flourney for the few plays delegated to the #4 WR. Jordan Cameron will be utilized in red zone and short yardage situations.

The wide receiver corps will be fine as long as they can stay away from another major injury.

Thoughts on missing big hitter Shareece Wright after the jump.

Aaron Corp? Mitch Mustain? Matt Barkley? TrojanWire thinks USC's QB race should be determined by best mustache. Mustain is in the lead, but there is definitely some room for improvement.

Video: Mitch Mustain Talks About David Ausberry + His New Dirt-Stache [TrojanNYC]

One of the followers of the tao of Leinart, ironically, is Oregon quarterback Jeremiah Masoli, who appeared to be on the wrong end of the 44-10 slaughter USC committed against the Ducks Saturday night. You may have thought you were watching a bigger, faster, stronger team right its season by outgaining a capable but overmatched Oregon outfit 598 yards to 239, holding the Duck offense to a punt or turnover on eight straight possessions and intercepting Masoli to set up the final, dagger touchdown from Mitch Mustain to David Ausberry in the closing minutes.

Oh, ye feeble minds. Let the wise Masoli reveal to you the reality behind the mirage:

"We feel like we're the better team."

"Tonight they played better than us, and the score indicated that. But I still feel like we're the better team, we just gave that one away."

"We just made some mistakes that we usually don't."

"I feel like our football team is better all-around, but they played better tonight, so they got the 'W'.''

You can assess an abstract philosophical question like "who's better?" in any number of closed-minded, "factual" methods. Head-to-head: the Ducks were outscored by 34 points and outgained by 359 yards Saturday, and have lost four of five to the Trojans since 2002 by an average of 19 points. Against the rest of the Pac-10: USC is 41-6 to Oregon's 29-19 and has won or shared six straight conference championships since '02 to Oregon's zero. In the polls: the Trojans have finished six straight seasons in the AP's year-end top four, at least ten spots better each season than the Ducks, who haven't finished in the top ten since 2001, Pete Carroll's first season in L.A. and Jeremiah Masoli's first year in middle school.

But you're thinking about results, man. You need to expand your mind. Instead of talking about wins and losses, you need to think about the essence of Oregon. Think about what would happen on a neutral field, if everyone was healthy, if the Ducks executed every block, threw tight spirals, stopped dropping passes, didn't hold, blow coverages, miss field goals, go for the ball instead of the tackle or commit stupid penalties. Picture what would have happened Saturday night if the game was exactly the opposite of how it actually went, in reality. Who's the better team now?

- - -
Photo of Masoli via Getty Images.