The symmetry at the Los Angeles Coliseum was perfect. Notre Dame had started the season unranked and slowly climbed, never losing on the way to reaching No. 1 just days earlier. Southern California had started out No. 1 and tumbled from the top 25 one loss at a time.

USC's championship bid imploded Saturday afternoon in Tucson, despite the record-breaking efforts of wide receiver Marqise Lee. After the Trojans' 39-36 loss to Arizona, Lee trudged off the field with tears in his eyes. The sophomore wideout caught 16 passes for 345 yards, more than any other Pac-12 receiver before him and fifth-most in FBS history.

In the hot heat of Arizona, Marqise Lee has caught fire, already boasting 255 receiving yards on 12 catches and one TD, and is nearly the only bright spot for the Trojans, who lead the Arizona Wildcats at the half, 21-13. For USC, the first half - and more accurately, the first quarter - was a regrettable one.

TUCSON, Ariz. -- The Arizona defender had fallen down, and USC receiver Robert Woods was all alone running down the sideline. Quarterback Matt Barkley leaned back and heaved the ball. Woods ran, the ball arced. It looked like a sure touchdown, one that probably would have started the conversation about the Trojans huge game with Oregon the following weekend.

Matt Barkley put up big numbers against the Wildcats, but still has room to grow. USC Trojans quarterback Matt Barkley put up some impressive numbers against the Arizona Wildcats on Saturday, throwing for 493 yards and three touchdowns.

TUCSON, Ariz. - Marqise Lee dropped to the desert floor as if deliriously parched, covering his head with his hands and kicking his legs. He eventually stood up and walked slowly across the Arizona Stadium field with tears steaming down his cheeks.

The six touchdowns and 19 of 20 passing for 298 yards is more than enough to elevate USC quarterback Matt Barkley to Pac-12 blog player of the week status. But when you throw in the fact that he set the new standard for career touchdowns in the Pac-12, he's a lock.