USC: What a Difference a Day Makes

Will the real USC football team please stand up. After two long weeks of conjecture and speculation (myself included) regarding the Trojans and their ability and desire to win, they rose to the occasion and convincingly beat UCLA 28-7.

The criticism however, never seemed to stop for USC, even after the final seconds ticked away, and a win against the Bruins was eminent. The Trojans stayed true to themselves and played their own game, letting UCLA make more mistakes in the process.

Losing to Stanford at the Coliseum left the Trojans wondering just who they really were, and beating UCLA demonstrated to them what they are capable of doing. The Trojans took ownership of their faults and vowed to live into the team they are meant to be.

At stake was much more than a victory. Beating ones crosstown rival not only gives one bragging rights and serves as leverage when recruiting young local talent, it has a visceral effect on individual players and the team psyche.

The confidence displayed by USC's defense sent a message to local recruits, letting them know that the keys to Los Angeles football remain in the hands of the Trojan faithful. Quarterback Matt Barkley completed 18 of 26 passes for 206 yards and showed signs of discernment throwing only one interception (throwing 11 interceptions for the season thus far).

That said, USC will have its work cut out for them playing the Arizona Wildcats next Saturday, concluding its regular-season schedule at the Coliseum. This Arizona team will test the new-found confidence regained by the Trojan defense that held the Bruins to 7 points.

In all honesty, this was the first time in a long time that USC had their first string on the field. Damian Williams returned punts of 22 and 24 yards in the first half, and after five receptions finished with 82 yards. Stanley Havili also played with aggressive confidence. The Trojan defense played with purpose.

It is important for USC to reflect on the realities of the UCLA game, approach Arizona with humility and focus, and prove they have a resilience that can stick. One thing remains for certain, the Trojans understand what a difference a day can make. Next Saturday will be another day, and they will confirm their new-found confidence as fact.