Was it that long ago that Cal was a sleeper national title contender and Jahvid Best was the chic pick to win the Heisman Trophy?

For the second straight week, the Bears were stomped at home. Just seven days after Oregon took it to them in a 42-3 route, Cal was once again manhandled on Saturday night, this time by a superior USC team.

In their 30-3 victory, the Trojans held Best to only 47 yards on 14 carries. Of course, it’s kind of hard to get the ball to your best player when you find yourself down 23-0 at halftime. USC controlled this game from start to finish by holding the ball for 36 minutes and 46 seconds, compared to Cal’s 23 minutes and 14 seconds. Without Best churning out big plays in the running game, the Bears’ offense was helpless.

Looking back, Cal’s issues started in the second half of a 35-21 win over Minnesota three weeks ago. After rushing for 114 yards and three scores in the first half, the Gophers held Best to only 17 yards in the second half. Granted, Best still finished with five touchdowns and 131 yards, but is it possible that Minnesota provided a blue print on how to slow the talented running back down?

That said, Best’s issues the past two games can be attributed to Cal’s opponents jumping out to comfortable first half leads and taking the Heisman candidate out of the game. It’s clear that quarterback Kevin Riley can’t win games on his own, although he’s hardly to blame for the Bears’ defense allowing USC to rush for 174 yards.

This was a much-needed win for Pete Carroll’s team, especially since it came on the road in a prime time game. Freshman Matt Barkley threw for 283 yards and continues to mature as a passer, while Joe McKnight finished with 119 yards and two scores, including an incredible 38-yard run in the first quarter.

USC is off next week before hosting Notre Dame on October 3.

Odds makers have released the point spreads for Week 5 in college football. Below are a list of odds for the top 25 teams and a quick-hit look at some of the marquee matchups.

No. 3 Alabama at Kentucky, 12:21PM ET
Why have Nick Saban’s Crimson Tide become the red headed stepchild of college football this year? Nobody is talking about ‘Bama and they’ve already beaten a top 10 team (Virginia Tech) and held the No. 2 offense in the nation (Arkansas) to only seven points last week. Bobby Petrino’s Razorbacks proved to be of little challenge last Saturday as the Tide limited Arkansas to only 254 total yards. This week, ‘Bama takes on a Kentucky team that couldn’t stay within four touchdowns of a Florida program that was ransacked by the flu.
Odds: Alabama –17.

No. 4 LSU at No. 18 Georgia, 3:30PM ET
The Tigers had to stave off a late rally by Mississippi State last week to beat the Bulldogs and will face a Georgia team this Saturday that has won three straight games. UGA’s three wins haven’t been pretty (especially defensively), but the Dawgs are averaging over 30 points a game and have gotten good position thanks to their return game. They’re going to need all the offense they can get this week, because LSU ranks 23rd in the nation in scoring defense. The Tigers are only allowing 15.25 points per game and rank 10th in the nation in pass efficiency defense.
Odds: Georgia –3.

No. 7 USC at No. 24 California, 8:00PM ET
The significance of this game took a hit last week didn’t it? Cal was ranked sixth in the nation entering play last week, but a 42-3 drubbing at the hands of Oregon dropped them to No. 24. USC rebounded from their 16-13 defeat to Washington by beating Washington State 27-6 last Saturday, but they received somber news earlier this week when running back Stafon Johnson injured his throat in a weight lifting accident that required emergency surgery. The focal point this week for Southern Cal will be to contain Heisman candidate Jahvid Best, who ranks ninth in the country in rushing yards. If any defense can slow Best down, it would be the Trojans, who currently rank fifth in rushing defense.
Odds: USC –6.

No. 8 Oklahoma at No. 17 Miami, 8:00PM ET
This is another Week 5 matchup that took a hit last week when the Canes were absolutely embarrassed in Blacksburg 31-7. Miami quarterback Jacory Harris looked mortal for the first time all season thanks to the Hokies’ excellent pass rush and the Canes defense didn’t show enough gap discipline as VA Tech complied 272 rushing yards. Despite losing quarterback Sam Bradford, the Sooners still own the eighth best scoring offense in college football and the 33rd best rushing attack. Miami will find it tough to move the ball on Oklahoma’s fifth best defense, one that has allowed only 4.67 points per game and has pitched two shutouts the past two weeks.
Odds: Oklahoma –7.

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