Matt Barkley told the media that the USC Trojans drop from the top spot in the AP poll this week wasn't weighing too heavily on his mind with the high-scoring Syracuse Orange on deck, according to Inside USC.
The Alabama Crimson Tide hopped the Trojans in the poll, though USC also moved higher in the USA Today Coaches' Poll, also coming in at No. 2.
The more immediate worry is the Orange and more specifically, quarterback Ryan Nassib. A three-year starter, Nassib went for 512 yards of total offense in Syracuse's 42-41 loss to Northwestern in their first game of 2012. He went 44-of-65 for 470 yards through the air.
Said USC coach Lane Kiffin per the Los Angeles Times:
"We're going to need to play better and make more plays on the ball, in the secondary specifically," USC Coach Lane Kiffin said.
Luckily for Kiffin, the injury-depleted Trojans expect defensive end Wes Horton, linebacker Lamar Dawson and cornerback Torin Harris to be ready to play this week, according to the Los Angeles Times. All three missed the win over Hawaii.
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