Maybe it was the fact that ABC cut from our game that I deem this one kind of a snoozer (and went to the Clemson game in my neck of the woods) or the fact that I just woke up from watching the game to write this article. But one thing was clear after the Colorado State game – any of the “chicken little” fans from other schools, who thought the sky was falling on the Trojans after the Virginia Tech game, witnessed championship caliber play on Saturday. While other teams suffered surprising losses, USC breezed past the Rams.

First off, let me thank ABC for making it clear how out of reach and in command our game was. I was sitting in a bar (yes, a pregnant lady in a bar, it does get looks) when suddenly the screen is black and then up pops Clemson. And, just as I was taking in the fanfare of it all. Seeing all those fans in the stadium for a game opener, something we haven’t seen in a long time, seeing Keith Jackson and Dan Fouts, and watching the obvious corrections in our team from the Hokies game – it was all so perfect.

Then, all of a sudden, I am trying to figure out why our stadium looks so different and the score so low. Did they forget to pour me non-alcolohic beers, am I hallucinating? Before I could get furious that I abandoned my ESPN game plan to watch this in the company of others, an Oklahoma fan reminded me of something.

You see, Oklahoma was having their alumni viewing party at the same bar we were in. And for those of you who don’t appreciate that Oklahoma alumni are everywhere – I will tell you – I was in a bar in St. Louis and their alumni club has 700 people. Not all 700 of them were in the bar (thankfully, wouldn’t that have been intolerable), but those that were there were quite complimentary of the Trojans.

The OU alumni said, “Hey, you know you’re good and the game is out of reach when they cut from it.” It was a small consolation. Although, I will say – whatever channel the Sooners were on seemed to stay with the OU game for a ridiculously long amount of time, even though that game was so clearly out of reach by the first quarter. One other thing I learned from the Sooner nation. They really want to play USC in Miami and they find LSU fans to be annoying (like any of you are surprised).

Whatever hitch in their gitty-up the Trojans had against Virginia Tech, a lot changed against the Rams. Most notably for me was the work of Lendale White and Reggie Bush. Not as much the spotlight last year due to Mike Williams, these backs really demonstrated their growth over the past year.

What Reggie Bush has is skill – although, sometimes he dances around a bit too much for my nerves. Still, I will take a little dancing, and a lot of scoring. Lendale White, on the other hand, has the power build. White has the ability to stay standing with multiple defenders on him, a skill that the Trojans can really benefit from.

And, while not as polished as the Trojans of the Rose Bowl, the offense really came together this game and showed much more cohesion. Some freshman mistakes were made, but to see new receivers step up to fill the big shoes left behind by Williams, was outstanding. Leinart settled into a confident groove during the Rams game, a groove we have come to expect after last year.

What was obvious to me was that the Trojans have the kind of coaching that can outlast great players. Sure, we all miss great players like Williams and Colbert, but with coaches like Norm Chow and Pete Carroll, you don’t have to miss these players for long. The Trojans can make it to the National Championship by keeping their head in the game, and that is all coaching.

I have to agree with the skilled sports writers of Los Angeles – we may be missing #1, but we are still playing like #1. That’s all that matters.

Of course, before we get ahead of ourselves, a spoiler team lies in the wings this weekend at BYU and very soon after with Cal. Playing at BYU will be a good test of the Trojans consistency and readiness to be a national championship team again. One thing we don’t have to count on is a lot of distractions for the players before the game – after all, they will be playing in Provo.

USC 35, BYU 21. Fight On!