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The USC Trojans are licking their wounds after a 38-28 loss to their cross-town rival UCLA Bruins in the Rose Bowl last weekend. Southern California has now dropped out of the BCS rankings after starting the season with the hope of going to the national championship. They'll still be going to the postseason it just won't be to play for a title.
The Trojans will finish their season this weekend against the No. 1 Notre Dame Fighting Irish at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum and they open as four-point underdogs to their long-standing rival. Everything is on the line for the Irish; with a win they'll advance to the national championship likely facing the No. 2 Alabama Crimson Tide, who need to get past the Auburn Tigers and then win the SEC title game.
The biggest question for the Trojans is whether they can succeed without senior quarterback Matt Barkley. He sprained his right shoulder against UCLA, which means back-up and redshirt freshman Max Wittek will be at the helm for the Trojans.