In search of their second conference victory away from home this season, the Colorado Buffaloes will face a stout test on Saturday against star quarterback Matt Barkley and the USC Trojans.

Jon Embree's team was blown out for the third time this year in a 34-point loss to Arizona State last week, and will now be forced to pick up the pieces against the three best programs in the Pac-12 on consecutive weekends. The Buffaloes did pick up 180 yards through the air and one touchdown pass from junior quarterback Jordan Webb against the Sun Devils, but were completely devoid of a rushing attack with only 75 total yards on 32 carries.

Things will need to be much tighter across the board in Week 8 for the Buffaloes, as Embree's squad will face a USC defense that forced four turnovers and also scored on a blocked punt in a win over Washington on Saturday. Led by the steady arm of Barkley, the Trojans have ascended to the No. 10 ranking nationally despite a Sept. 15 loss to Stanford that ruined their shot at a perfect season. A 6'2, 230-pound senior projected to be taken near the top of the 2013 NFL Draft, Barkley torched Colorado for six touchdown passes last season in a blowout win for the Trojans.