[murky]

Great recap by msqueri, as always.

Here's my Sunday morning/evening thought, in reaction to the overall tenor of many posts (not just on this thread):

We played the #7 team in the AP Poll and the #8 team in the Coaches Poll. Herbstreit has them at #5. If not for four untimely turnovers, it would have been close.  Many of us might think that USC is overrated, but maybe we are underrating Stanford a bit?

USC did not take their foot off the gas in the second half.  They regressed to the mean, and in addition, our defense improved.  (Note that both Riley and Williams made comments to the effect that they didn't accomplish everything they meant to accomplish in the second half, but they were proud of the win.)

Our offense will be able to move the ball in the air and on the ground.  The defense is not going to face this kind of talent at the skill positions, combined with great offensive coaching, for the rest of the season.  We are certainly going to be vulnerable defensively, but that should be no surprise to anyone.  

Overall, I am more optimistic about our season than before the game.

I came away with a similar impression, assuming players are healthy.

Offense showed a high ceiling and especially heartening was the run game.

We all knew that the defense has serious concerns.

Special teams wasn't an embarrassment.

Need better ball security.

USC was the highest ranked team we will face.

[murky]

Great recap by msqueri, as always.

Here's my Sunday morning/evening thought, in reaction to the overall tenor of many posts (not just on this thread):

We played the #7 team in the AP Poll and the #8 team in the Coaches Poll. Herbstreit has them at #5. If not for four untimely turnovers, it would have been close.  Many of us might think that USC is overrated, but maybe we are underrating Stanford a bit?

USC did not take their foot off the gas in the second half.  They regressed to the mean, and in addition, our defense improved.  (Note that both Riley and Williams made comments to the effect that they didn't accomplish everything they meant to accomplish in the second half, but they were proud of the win.)

Our offense will be able to move the ball in the air and on the ground.  The defense is not going to face this kind of talent at the skill positions, combined with great offensive coaching, for the rest of the season.  We are certainly going to be vulnerable defensively, but that should be no surprise to anyone.  

Overall, I am more optimistic about our season than before the game.

I came away with a similar impression, assuming players are healthy.

Offense showed a high ceiling and especially heartening was the run game.

We all knew that the defense has serious concerns.

Special teams wasn't an embarrassment.

Need better ball security.

USC was the highest ranked team we will face.