[Lefty Noob]

USC Trojans safety Josh Pinkard tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee agains the Razorbacks and is done for the year, the Associated Press is reporting. And even though Pinkard is the starting free safety for Southern Cal, the injury came during a special teams play, on punt coverage. According to the AP, "Freshmen Antwine Perez and Garrett Green were listed behind Pinkard on the USC depth chart entering the Arkansas game. Other possible replacements are freshman Taylor Mays, listed as the second-string strong safety, and senior Dallas Sartz, who shares a starting linebacker spot with Brian Cushing."

How bad does this injury affect the #3 Trojans national title hopes this season?

[EmpireWF]

The Trojans have got to be one of the deepest teams as far as depth goes, so I'd assume it wouldn't have a large effect on their long-term season goals. But you never know, I'm not sure who the leader of the defense is but they'll get over it.