Are we talking about the same game?

No, it wasn't a blow-out, which is what everyone is used to.  It was a close game against a quality opponent, which is what the rest of the college football world deals with on a regular basis.

Once we went up 7-3, we never lost the lead!  How was this a lucky win?

I totally agree Steve is a stud, and I think he's never gotten the attention he deserves.  He should have gotten 1000 passing yards last season instead of Jarrett getting 1200 or whatever it was; the roommates just got all the attention.  The point is he stood up like someone always does, and if he wasn't there, it would have been someone else.

We got the W, earned our win, and remember this:

Booty is 4-0 all time as a starter, which is something Palmer and Leinart never were.

I am really tired of the dropped punts and kickoffs, however.  Has there been a game yet in which someone didn't drop a ball that fell right into their gut with no pressure surrounding them?  If the Cougs had gotten possession after that, then I would have been worried.

Not to say that USC could be putting 50 on the board if they wanted to, but I think they are keeping the reins on the offense a little bit.  In a way, I think they are consciously keeping the opponent's at arms length.  I don't think the coaches have ever been concerned with the outcomes in AZ or here, and neither have I.

I think they will slowly put more on the offense with the goal of being able to unleash more of what they have up their sleeve in the last month against the dangerous teams.

USC = heaven.

I'll post my thoughts about the game later today.

1) More importantly, Booty made CRITICAL throws on third and fourth downs to move the chains. Slowly, the offensive staff is putting more responsibility on his shoulders. One of those turnovers was an interception to end the half, so don't count that against him. 2) Another thing we took away is the knowledge that Steve Smith will be more relied on in future games. He doesn't drop passes like the overrated Jarret and is a more accurate route runner. 3) The secondary coaches can actually coach the secondary now that they have game film of them getting smoked all day 4) Lastly, the team proved they don't need big plays and flashy Hollywood swagger to win games, such was the 99 yard touchdown drive.

USC is the most talented, well-coached team in the country. They are breaking in new players at key skill positions, unlike Auburn, Ohio State, Michigan, etc.. They might drop in the polls, but trust me, we'll be full steamby the end of the season with an undefeated record.

I, too, share some of your concern.  I felt like our linebackers maybe read the headlines a little too much this week, and played a little overconfident.  Each guy made big plays, but they were also inconsistent.  And if Pete Carroll wasn't the coach, I'd be very concerned about the secondary.

But... it's also a good thing for this defense to face some adversity.  They now have an end-of-game situation under their belts.  I think that we should look at the remaining schedule as a very positive factor for the team.  After Washington State, we now know what needs to be worked on and the coaches now have four conceivably "tuneup" type games to work out the kinks.  After that... we enter Pete Carroll's patented November stretch of games.