Going into the season at No. 1 in the polls is a blessing and a curse. The pressure is on USC to prove they deserve all the hype and it all starts with the game against the University of Hawaii on Saturday. The Trojans will see a familiar face across the field with former offensive-coordinator Norm Chow taking over the reigns at Hawaii. Southern Cal's head coach Lane Kiffin is confident that having worked with, learned from, and faced Chow, not only at the college level, but the pro-level as well, will benefit his team as they prepare for the game.

One person that Kiffin is certainly not worried about, at least not outwardly, is likely-Heisman candidate quarterback Matt Barkley. Kiffin acknowledges that Barkley leadership has been instrumental in acquainting new players, like Penn State transfer Silas Redd, with the offense. Kiffin and Barkley believe that Matt is NFL-ready and that will translate on the field this season.

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