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LOS ANGELES — The USC Trojans, with their prancing stable of freshman and sophomore starters, are a year away in the experience department from being a consensus contender for the national championship. But the football gods and the BCS aren't waiting for next season. Now the Trojans are the all-new No. 2 team in the country, three wins away from meeting No. 1 Oklahoma in New Orleans on Jan. 4.
USC has a bye this week but Coach Pete Carroll is preparing his squad as if there is a game on Saturday. The last time SC had a bye was two weeks before its Pacific-10 opener against California on Sept. 27. The Trojans took it easy, then went up to Berkeley only to lose in triple overtime to the Golden Bears.
This week, the practices have been rough and tumble, and even though players such as wide receiver Mike Williams are limping, there's not let up. Arizona is next on USC's schedule, at Tucson on Nov. 15.
USC jumped over a major hurdle last week when it crushed No. 6 Washington State, 43-16, to improve its record to 8-1, 4-1 in the Pac 10. The game's scenario was one that is becoming increasingly typical for USC. It was close in the first half, 15-10, with the defenses in control, only to have the Trojans' halftime adjustments lead to second-half blowouts.
This week, Washington State plays host to UCLA at Pullman, Wash. The Bruins were mortified by Stanford last week, losing to the lowly Cardinal, 21-14. It severely damaged their chances of going to the Rose Bowl because now, to make it to Pasadena for New Year's, they have to win the rest of their games, including the crosstown clash against USC on Nov. 22.
The Bruins would love to knock the Trojans out of the Sugar Bowl, and as has been proven in these schools' long rivalry, that's a possibility. |
