USC Football: Trojans Roll Cal; Can They Do The Same to Oregon?

For long suffering Trojan fans the wait is over.

On a gloomy day where so many questions required answering, USC, led by Matt Barkley's five touchdown passes, provided a scintillating glimpse of the possibilities that lay ahead.

As important, the Trojan defense also finally showed up after falling flat on its collective face for much of the season.

Now, with a bye week conveniently ahead of them, the Trojans can turn their attention to the mighty Oregon Ducks who will invade the Coliseum two weeks from today.

After two straight weeks of heartbreaking, last second losses, USC desperately needed a big win and today they found a complete game against the Cal Bears who continue their years long futility against the Trojans.

Hell, even kicker Joe Houston made a couple of field goals so you know things went well for the men of Troy.

That USC rolled up 602 total yards against what had been the Pac-10's #1 defense was surprising but not shocking.

After all, with the exception of the Virginia game, the Trojans have been impressive on the offensive side of the ball all year.

What was shocking, at least for cynical USC fans, was that Monte Kiffin's young defense finally came to play.

And play they did.

Holding an anemic Cal offense to 245 total yards, along with a pair of garbage time touchdowns, the beleaguered Trojan defense showed that if nothing else, they have the capability to be dominant.

Interestingly, the Trojans improved play coincided with reserve Chris Galippo's return to the starting lineup at the weak side linebacker position.

But it wasn't just the tough play of Galippo that marked the improvement of the defense.

After two weeks of hearing how terrible they were, the Trojan defense appeared bound and determined to show they could hold their own.

So now Trojan fans are left to ponder what could have been if that same attitude would have shown up a couple of weeks earlier.

But don't expect the coaching staff to waste one minute on that line of questioning.

Instead, they will focus on a No. 1 ranked Oregon Duck team following Ohio State's loss to Wisconsin.

The Trojans now will have two weeks to prepare for Chip Kelly's high flying offense and make no mistake about it, the Coliseum will be rocking.

So, can the Trojans pull the upset two weeks from now?

Only time will tell but you have to like their chances far better than just a week ago.