The good is that if USC wins, it will most likely go to the Sugar Bowl to play Oklahoma for the national championship. Another item in the "good" column is that the Trojans won't have to endure any more insults from the BCS, such as the slap in the face they got three weeks ago when they routed Arizona, 45-0, and lost ground to Ohio State, which didn't score a touchdown in its overtime victory to Purdue.

The bad is that if USC wins and LSU beats Georgia for the SEC title, LSU may leap over the Trojans to No. 2, because a victory over the Bulldogs would be considered more of a quality win against a tougher opponent, and the Tigers would play the Sooners in New Orleans.

The worst, and it isn't that bad, is Oregon State upsets USC, ruining its first shot at a national championship since 1978 and forcing it to settle for a berth in the Rose Bowl against Michigan.

However, USC may get the last laugh on the BCS if the following occurs: LSU beats Georgia, jumps to No. 2 and plays Oklahoma and beats the Sooners. Meanwhile, USC wallops Michigan and is named national champion by the Associated Press. One of the things that the BCS was created to do, eliminate co-champions, happens. That might unplug the computer at The New York Times.

The Trojans are not taking the Beavers lightly for a couple of reasons. First, USC has injuries, with linebacker Matt Grootegoed still nursing a high ankle sprain. He is doubtful, as is fullback Brandon Hancock, who has a sprained knee. Second, Oregon State placed four players on first team all Pac-10, including running back Steven Jackson, who was an early Heisman Trophy candidate. USC's defensive line is to stop Jackson to control the Beavers.

Coastal Notes | UCLA fans are still grumbling over why the Bruins' coaching staff didn't make in its defensive secondary's coverage against USC wide receiver MIKE WILLIAMS, who roamed untouched and made catch after catch against UCLA's pint-sized players during USC's 47-22 win two weeks ago. Williams, who is 6-3, might have had a harder time catching easy lobs from quarterback MATT LEINART if MATT WARE, who is also 6-3, was switched to cover him during the crosstown rival battle at the Coliseum ...The entrance of MIKE STOOPS into the Pac-10 at Arizona figures to hurt recruiting at UCLA more than any other school. Before Stoops took the Wildcats' head coaching job this week, soft-spoken KARL DORRELL could manage in the recruiting game with USC's Pete Carroll, but with Arizona ready to invade the L.A. area for players, it may be twice as hard for the Bruins to sign those they want.

Rumor of the Week | With the head coaching job at Nebraska open, USC's offensive coordinator NORM CHOW is said to be a candidate on the Cornhuskers' short list. If Chow goes to Lincoln, will he take freshman quarterback J.D. BOOTY with him? Booty's future at USC isn't as bright as it was in September because no one expected Matt Leinhart to come on as strong as he has. This week, Leinart was named the Pac-10's offensive player of the year.