What should the Trojans be more upset about: a stingy defense that allowed their first passing touchdown of the season and nearly blowing a big lead against Notre Dame on Saturday or finding out they were ranked so low in the first published BCS Poll of the season?

Indeed, it was a mixed bag this weekend for USC football (5-1, 2-1). Sure, they pulled out a win – barely – against Notre Dame, as a last-second pass from Irish quarterback Jimmy Clausen fell incomplete in the end zone at the final gun to preserve a 34-27 Southern Cal victory.

USC nearly shot itself in the foot at Notre Dame Stadium on Saturday, with Matt Barkley tossing an interception and the USC defense committing 42 yards worth of penalties in the game’s final 12 minutes and allowing the Irish to almost claim victory despite trailing 34-14 late in the third quarter. Yet, Clausen’s three incomplete passes in the end zone spelled defeat for the Irish, who lost to USC for the eighth straight time.

Barkley finished the game completing 19 of 29 passes for 380 yards, two touchdowns and the one interception. Despite the ugly win, the Trojans did not fare will in the first BCS poll of the season, starting in the seventh position, making it difficult to mount a national championship campaign without some help.

Meanwhile, the Bruins (3-3, 0-3) are definitely out of national championship talks after being mauled by California, 45-26, at the Rose Bowl on Saturday. UCLA’s defense allowed 289 yards rushing and 205 yards in the air, which resulted in the Bears (4-2) scoring 35 of their 45 points in the first half. Bruin quarterback Kevin Prince completed 21 of 41 passes for 311 yards and one interception, while Johnathan Franklin rushed for 101 yards and two touchdowns on 11 carries.