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I hope everyone really enjoyed their bye week, but now it's time to focus.  Let's get a few particulars out of the way.

Current Weather Forecast for Saturday in beautiful South Bend, Indiana: 48 degrees and partly cloudy (expect this to change about a dozen times before kickoff)

Line: Southern Cal by somewhere between 8 and 11, depending on where you're looking.  I'm going to guess that ticks its way up to around thirteen or so by the end of the week.

Anticipation Level: 16 out of 10

As I wrote last week, this is the game that frames the last five games and the rest of the season.  Is Notre Dame a great team that was just finding its footing and got screw jobbed at Michigan, or is it an average, mediocre team that can't stand up against the elites of college football?  A close loss to Southern Cal isn't the end of the world, but a blowout loss would leave the taste in most Irish fans' mouth that this season is just like every other one after 2005.  A win?  A win and everything is roses and candy and puppies and sunshine for a week (until the inevitable letdown "HOW DID THIS HAPPEN?!" loss to BC the next Saturday).  I want that win and that feeling like everything is right in the world.  I want to see everything about the team humbled - from the sunglasses-wearing band to Traveler to Carroll to Barkley. 

Can the Irish pull it off?  We'll get into this in more detail as the week goes on, but over the bye week I watched some of Southern Cal's games on the incredibly useful ESPN360.  A few quick observations from going through a couple of halves without too meticulous of scrutiny:

* Matt Barkley, as he comes across in interviews, is a cool customer.  He's not asked to do a whole lot in that offense yet, but the arm and confidence are there to be a great quarterback for a long time.  In the Ohio State game he was in an incredibly hostile environment but had the benefit of being in a very low scoring game, meaning the Trojans could always rely on their running game, even late in the fourth quarter.  If the Irish can get a lead and the crowd gets cooking..... maybe.  We'll see.  He looks a little like Dick Casablancas from Veronica Mars, so take from that what you will.

* Damian Williams is a beast, in the Mike Williams/Dwayne Jarrett mode of just eating defensive backs alive.  Packing the box and attempting to cover him on an island could result in a very, very long day.  He also is a huge threat on punt returns.

* Taylor Mays is some sort of human-velociraptor hybrid.  Against Cal he picked off a (horrible) Kevin Riley pass in the endzone on the first possession of the game and cut down Jahvid Best on a third and short pitch late in the second quarter.  He's everywhere you do not want him to be.

* Joe McKnight is very fast.  If the Irish don't improve at tackling very quickly - that's what bye weeks are for! - he's going to have a Reggie-in-2005 type day because he has the breakaway speed and shiftiness to go yard every time.  He's not the best back for a consistent pounding attack at this point in his career, which was where Stafon Johnson came in as a great complement to the rushing attack.  Johnson will miss this game as he continues to recover from that very scary weight lifting accident, so expect to mostly see McKnight and Allen Bradford.

* The Irish are going to have a difficult time just lining up and running at the Trojan front.  Look at this listing of tackles for loss, it is absurd.  I was avoiding watching the Washington game because I wasn't sure how much it was worth taking notes on a game where Barkley and Mays didn't play, but I think I'm going to have to to see how the Trojan defense handled the best quarterback on their schedule up until this point.  Kevin Riley played like he had a serious head injury for four quarters and there were tomes written about the poor offensive gameplan of Ohio State, but Locker put a nice little game together.  The Huskies only scored 16 points, but Locker was solid (21-of-35, 237 yards, no TD's, no picks).

* This is not a particularly disciplined Trojan team on offense.  They average eight penalties for seventy yards a game, they are 113th in the country in third down percentage, minus on turnover margin for the year and only average in the red zone.  If Notre Dame were to go into a sort of shell defense and make Southern Cal dink and dunk their way down the field and not score on big plays, I feel like there will be potential for some drive-halting mistakes by the freshman QB.  Possibly not, but there's potential.

* The Southern Cal offensive line is very good, and was blowing Ohio State off the ball by the fourth quarter.  It'll be imperative for the Irish offense to give their defense some time to rest and for the Irish defense to tackle, because if they don't, Barkley can just hang back and hand the ball off for an easy win.

* Despite the lop-sided nature of the final scores the last couple of seasons, the Irish defense has played pretty well.  In 2008 the Trojans really struggled to score until the Notre Dame defense was just too gassed due to offensive failure after offensive failure.  Even in 2007, the season of infinite sorrow, it was only a 7-0 game partway into the second quarter.  The defense has been fine, it's the offense that needs to avenge itself if Notre Dame wants to pull off the home upset.

• Penalties! Penalties! Penalties! Ack!!!! USC's lack of discipline is turning me into Cathy Guisewite.


• Great to see Brice Butler getting involved.


• And even better to finally see a Damian Williams TD.


• Loni Fangupo's injury was pretty gruesome. Not Tim Krumrie-ugly, but still nasty.


• Watching Anthony McCoy limp off the field is disappointing, but watching Blake Ayles run out on the field is a thrill. There's no doubt, the kid's got the gift.


• Way too much love for Tuel -- guy didn't score a TD, and yet the announcers were going all Tebow on him.


• We connected with Big Mike Williams on Twitter tonight. Assuming it really was him and not an impostor, we are stoked.


• Does being an academic star at Washington State really count?


• Matt Barkley is throwing Brett Favre hard on some plays. Don't be afraid to dial it back a touch, young Jedi.


• Those terrible Sonic commercials were more entertaining than a lot of the 2nd and 3rd quarters.


• I left a sportsbar so I could come home and watch the game, which allowed me to get reacquainted with Petros Papadakis. A decision that wound up feeling like that time you opted to have dinner with your ex-girlfriend, only to have it quickly devolve to hurried eating and angst-ridden bill paying. And then he went and made out with Tuel before we even left the building.

Despite an early touchdown drive where the offensive line opened up huge holes, the Trojans reverted back to the same recipe for disaster that annually costs them a game in Pac-10 play: Turnovers, Penalties and Questionable offensive play calls. It is very difficult to overcome these problems when you are playing the second of back-to-back road games and are without your starting QB Matt Barkley and All American Safety Taylor Mays.

The Trojans had the ball within or near the red zone six times and only walked away with 13 points and turned the ball over 3 times. They were a combined 0-11 on 3rd and 4th down and could only muster 110 yards passing, the lowest in the Pete Carroll era.

The offensive coaching staff botched an attempt to get a field goal off at the end of the first half by running the ball with no timeouts left and played not to lose at the end of the game instead of rolling Corp out and trying to attack the end zone.

(Potential offensive solutions 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.

From ESPN.com:

He's sitting out games, having already missing USC's opener.

He's waiting to find out if he can play in the Trojans' second home game tonight.

And he's wishing he can board a red-eye flight that will take the team to Puerto Rico for a weekend tournament.

Stepheson is an impressive forward who transferred to USC after two seasons at North Carolina. Most players have to sit out one year, but the NCAA grants exceptions under certain circumstances. Stepheson applied for a transfer waiver, reportedly after an illness in the family caused him to come home to the LA area. But with the season already underway, he still doesn't know if he'll be eligible to play.

The Stepheson ripple runs deep. Coach Tim Floyd never divulges his starting lineup, but you can interpret his assessment of Stepheson yourself. "We feel like he's a guy that can have an impact, not only on our team but in the league."

Basketball analysts agree. ESPN's Andy Katz thinks his addition would make USC a Pac-10 title favorite, alongside UCLA and Arizona State.

In the meantime, the Trojans are spending valuable practice time on schemes that they might not be able to run.

"We're trying to prepare with both scenarios in mind," said Floyd. "We've done a lot of work with him as a part of the group that would be out there, and a lot of work without him in that group.... We really had to think in terms of two offensive systems, which has been somewhat of a distraction. If he wasn't as talented as he is, it wouldn't be worth doing. But he is, and we're trying to prepare ourselves the best we can in the event that we get good news."

It also wouldn't be worth doing if Stepheson's case were a long-shot. Based on NCAA precedent, there's reason for the Trojans to be optimistic. And that can make the waiting game frustrating.

Last year, the NCAA granted 55 transfer waivers and denied 34. Tyler Smith, who transferred from Iowa to Tennessee just before his father passed away from cancer, was one of six approved in men's basketball, out of 10 requests. This season, the NCAA had nine requests in men's basketball by the start of November -- approving four and denying one. That leaves four in progress, including Stepheson.

According to college sport's governing body, one of the common reasons they grant a transfer waiver is documented illness to a member of student-athlete’s family "that results in the need for the student-athlete to transfer." No need to overanalyze that. In tough times, his family needs him. He needs them. And as a lifelong athlete, he still needs basketball. Teammates are usually like a second family, and Stepheson has joined a team that certainly knows how to deal with life's hardest knocks. Two years ago, they lost point guard Ryan Francis in a tragic shooting. He would have been a senior this season.

The NCAA obviously can't issue a free pass to anybody who wants to jump ship and skip the normally required redshirt year. A few months ago, they denied the waiver of Colin Peek, an Alabama football transfer who left Georgia Tech because their new coach doesn't typically use his position (tight end). The NCAA won't comment on specific cases, but a representative said that type of reasoning falls outside the scope of a transfer waiver. There were reports that Peek would seek a "hardship" waiver (typically granted by conferences, not the NCAA, for severe injury or illness), but ultimately he found himself on this season's Tide scout team.

Though some might sympathize with Peek, who couldn't sympathize with Stepheson? His situation is serious enough that he missed missed playing time last season at UNC in order to travel home, including the Tar Heels' conference opener against 19th-ranked Clemson. Then he ditched the No. 1 team in America -- where he might have been a starter for part of the year. All-world Tyler Hansbrough is hurt, and guess who was a top candidate to fill in -- or at least get more playing time? Katz added that one thing is clear: "The Tar Heels definitely could have used Alex Stepheson back."

Even though he could be having an influence on Tobacco Road, it's difficult to imagine that UNC would oppose the transfer waiver; the school  reportedly wouldn't appeal if it goes through. But the school is  caught up in the protracted NCAA process. The Tar Heels were sent paperwork on the case last week, and have up to 10 days to respond.

North Carolina declined to publicly comment on the matter until the NCAA announces its decision, but an initial feel-good press release about the transfer quoted Coach Roy Williams as saying, "Being closer to home he will be able to provide the necessary support and help his family needs at this time. He is a wonderful kid."

Anybody with Internet access (including the NCAA) could have known this was coming three months ago, but sources indicate the full waiver request was filed with them only in October. The Stepheson family was asked to provide additional documentation just two weeks ago, and North Carolina still may not have finished all of its paperwork.

"I think they've been pretty responsive on the NCAA end," said Floyd. "I think it takes time to present your case."

Whether it's something on its end or not, the NCAA's wheels-of-justice have a reputation for turning very slowly. There are plenty of examples with USC alone, including two ongoing investigations about extra benefits allegedly received by Reggie Bush and O.J. Mayo.

In 2004, the NCAA waited just two days before USC's football team kicked off its season to announce that wide receiver Mike Williams was ineligible after losing a reinstatement appeal. The organization claimed that it "responded within 24 hours of receiving the final information," though the situation had been under public scrutiny for several months and all parties appeared cooperative.

At least Williams found out before his team boarded the plane. It's looking less and less likely that the NCAA will be able to do the same for Stepheson.

-- Adam Rose
Photo by Bob Donnan/US Presswire

For further reading:

• Check out this roundtable discussion about waivers on Rivals.com.
• ESPN's Andy Katz goes into detail about Stepheson's family, basketball strengths and what he would mean to the Trojans.

When Fred Davis arrived at USC in the winter of 2004 as a heavily-recruited wide receiver, he had visions of grandeur. Davis dreamed of 100-reception, 15-touchdown seasons, grabbing All-America honors while being the toast of Los Angeles. He envisioned taking the role that Mike Williams played for the Trojans in 2002 and 2003… continue

LenDale White (RB - Tennessee) carried the ball 30 times for 113 yards and a touchdown. He also added two receptions for another 24 yards. Tennessee fell to San Diego in overtime after the Chargers rallied from 14 points down. White's performance on the ground gives him 867 yards this season with three games to go.

Justin Fargas (RB - Oakland) had his toughest outing since stepping up for the Raiders six weeks ago. Green Bay pounded Oakland 38-7 and Fargas managed only 15 carries for 57 yards. He left in the fourth quarter with a bruised rib, but doesn't expect to miss any more playing time. With three games to go, he's just 80 yards away from his first 1,000 yard season.

Carson Palmer (QB - Cincinnati) was 21-of-29 for 189 yards and was intercepted twice. The Bengals won a sloppy game 19-10 in the pouring rain in St. Louis.

Junior Seau (LB - New England) had 6 tackles in a 34-13 victory over Pittsburgh.

Mike Patterson (DT - Philadelphia) made 5 tackles, one for a loss, as the Eagles fell 16-13 to the New York Giants.

Monday Night Football: RB Reggie Bush is out with an injured knee, but keep an eye on TE Billy Miller to continue his productive season for the Saints in tonight's game in Atlanta.

Lofa Tatupu (LB - Seattle) made 4 tackles in a 42-21 victory over Arizona.

Willie McGinest (LB - Cleveland) made a tackle for a 3 yard loss in a 24-18 win over the New York Jets.

Keary Colbert (WR - Carolina) had an 8 yard catch in a 37-6 loss to Jacksonville.

Brian Kelly (CB - Tampa Bay) made 3 tackles in a 28-14 loss to Houston.

Sammy Knight (S - Jacksonville) had 2 tackled in the victory over Carolina.

Kenechi Udeze (DE - Minnesota) made a tackled against San Francisco in a 27-7 victory.

Also Played: Dominique Byrd (TE - St. Louis), Shaun Cody (DT - Detroit), Mike Williams (WR - Tennessee), Manuel Wright (DT - New York Giants).

Can Norm Chow do what Lane Kiffin couldn't and help turn the Williams around? Williams has all of the potential, but it seems none of the drive. The first step towards turning the kid around...Weight Watchers

Justin Fargas (RB - Oakland) ran for 81 yards and had five receptions for 23 more, but the Raiders lost to Chicago 17-6. He also lost a fumble.

Reggie Bush (RB - New Orleans) wasn't a huge factor in the Saint's 37-29 loss to St. Louis. Coming into the game with a knee injury, he had 7 rushes for 17 yards and a touchdown, along with 5 receptions for 27 yards. He left the game for a few plays after a helmet-to-helmet hit ... Bush fired his marketing agent last week. The story appears unrelated to Lloyd Lake.

Dwayne Jarrett (WR - Carolina) saw action for just the second time in his career, making catches of 22 and 6 yards in a 20-13 loss to Atlanta.

Mike Patterson (DT - Philadelphia) made 6 tackles, including a sack, and forced a fumble in the Eagle's 33-25 victory at Washington.

Troy Polamalu (S - Pittsburgh) had 4 tackles, one for a loss, and participated in two interceptions as the Steelers took down Cleveland 31-28.

Frostee Rucker (DE - Cincinnati) had his biggest game of the season with 3 tackles and a forced fumble.

Billy Miller (TE - New Orleans) only had 1 catch for 1 yard -- and 1 touchdown.

LenDale White (RB - Tennessee) ran the rock 8 times for 12 yards and had a 5 yard reception. He hurt his knee in the Titan's 28-13 loss to Jacksonville.

Carson Palmer (QB - Cincinnati) was 23-for-34 and 271 yards. The Bengals won 21-7 in Baltimore.

Sammy Knight (S - Jacksonville) had four tackled and participated in an interception in a 28-13 win over Tennessee.

Shaun Cody (DT - Detroit) picked up two tackles in a 31-21 loss to Arizona.

Willie McGinest (LB - Cleveland) made two tackles as the Browns fell 31-28 to Pittsburgh.

LaJuan Ramsey (DT - Philadelphia) made a tackle for a loss in the win over Washington.

Kenechi Udeze (DE - Minnesota) made one tackle in a 34-0 loss to Green Bay.

Mike Williams (WR - Unemployed) still needs a team. If you own an NFL franchise and are in need of his services, please have your people call his people.

Monday Night Football: Lofa Tatupu's (LB - Seattle) Seahawks welcome San Francisco tonight.

Tailback U had a solid weekend in the NFL ...

Reggie Bush (RB - New Orleans) broke 100 all-purpose yards once again, with 72 on the ground and 43 in the air. He scored a touchdown both ways to help the Saints beat Jacksonville 41-24 ... After the game, he told the press, "Don't eat the cheese. Parmesan cheese, gouda cheese, Kraft single cheese, whatever it is, any kind of cheese, people want to feed us. It's just staying focused and not allowing your head to get too big, because if you eat too much cheese you may get sick -- especially if you're lactose intolerant." Cheese is metaphor for public hype, both good and bad ...

LenDale White (RB - Tennessee) earned his third straight 100 yard game, picking up exactly that many yards on 31 attempts. He had a touchdown and a fumble as the Titans took down Carolina 20-7.

Justin Fargas (RB - Oakland) had his second 100 yard game of the season, with 104 yards and a touchdown on 23 carries. The Raiders fell to Houston, 24-17.

Carson Palmer (QB - Cincinnati) was 26-of-39 for 271 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception. The Bengals fell to Buffalo 33-21 and are now 2-6 on the season.

Billy Miller (TE - New Orleans) made a 57 yard catch, longer than his total yards all season prior to the game. He finished with three catches for 75 yards.

Keary Colbert (WR - Carolina) hauled in 3 catches for 30 yards in a 20-7 loss to Tennessee.

Sammy Knight (S - Jacksonville) had a busy Sunday with 11 tackles (one for a loss). He also participated in two interceptions in the loss to New Orleans.

Mike Patterson (DT - Philadelphia) made 8 tackles, including one for a loss, as the Eagles fell to Dallas 38-17.

Lofa Tatupu (LB - Seattle) made 8 tackles in the overtime loss to Cleveland.

Junior Seau (LB - New England) had two tackles in the Pat's big win over Indy.

Kenechi Udeze (DE - Minnesota) had two tackles (one for a loss) in a 35-17 win over San Diego.

Willie McGinest (LB - Cleveland) made two tackles in a 33-30 overtime victory over Seattle.

Brian Kelly (CB - Tampa Bay) made a tackle and participated in an interception in a 17-10 victory over Arizona.

Shaun Cody (DT - Detroit) made a tackle in a 44-7 victory over Denver.

Also Played: LaJuan Ramsey (DT - Philadelphia), Frostee Rucker (DE - Cincinnati).

Monday Night Football: Troy Polamalu and the Steelers host Baltimore.

In case you missed it: Mike Williams was cut by Lane Kiffin in Oakland last week.