PASADENA, California (Ticker) -- Yes, the Bowl Championship Series crashed and burned. But it did result in a second blockbuster game with national title implications.
Top-ranked Southern California, left out of the Sugar Bowl by the BCS computers, seeks its share of the national championship when it meets fourth-ranked Michigan in the Rose Bowl on New Year's Day.
Southern California (11-1) arguably has been college football's most dominant team over the past few months, with its only stumble being a triple overtime loss to California in late September. But the strength of schedule component of the BCS ultimately worked against the Trojans as Oklahoma and Louisiana State landed in the Sugar Bowl on January 4.
But the Trojans finished on top of both human polls and are all but certain to claim a share of their first national title in a quarter century should they defeat the Wolverines (10-2).
"We have a fantastic opportunity and a great matchup, so we're going for it," USC coach Pete Carroll said. "It's clear as a bell to me. We're the top team in the country by the people that chose, and we want to hold that position by playing a great game."
The Trojans, who seek their first national title since sharing the crown with Alabama in 1978, would claim only the Associated Press title since the coaches are obligated to vote the Sugar Bowl winner as their national champion. A Pac-10 Conference team has not won a national title since Washington split the title with Miami in 1991.
Another big winner in the BCS mess is the Rose Bowl, which had the lopsided national title game between Miami and Nebraska two years ago and settled for Oklahoma's rout of Washington State last year. The Rose Bowl now has all it could ask for - a traditional Pac-10-Big Ten matchup between marquee schools with national title implications played on New Year's Day.
"I think we're going to have the national championship game right where we are," Tournament of Roses president Mike Riffey said.
A victory for Michigan would make things far easier for the BCS since it would set up a consensus national title game between Oklahoma and LSU in the Sugar Bowl. But derailing the Trojans will not be easy.
USC has scored 40 or more points for seven straight games, and extended its winning streak to eight games with a 52-28 triumph over Oregon State that clinched the Trojans' first outright Pac-10 title since 1989.
USC finished the regular season with a Pac-10 record 506 points. Matt Leinart has proven to be worthy successor to Heisman Trophy winner Carson Palmer, establishing a conference single-season mark with 35 touchdown passes.
Mike Williams is among the best receivers in the country and had 16 touchdown catches, including a spectacular one-handed grab against Oregon State.
There is plenty of balance to the Trojans' offense. LenDale White rushed for 13 touchdowns and heads a talented backfield that includes fellow freshman Reggie Bush and sophomore Hershel Dennis.
The Trojans will be playing a Michigan team that has been as dominant as anyone in the country over the final few weeks of the season and is unquestionably USC's toughest test.
The Wolverines won their final six games and rode a 154-yard rushing performance by Chris Perry to topple defending national champion Ohio State in their regular-season finale. Quarterback John Navarre, often criticized early in his career, is enjoying a spectacular senior season, having thrown for 3,060 yards and 23 touchdowns.
The Wolverines will be facing the Trojans' "Wild Bunch II" defensive line that features end Kenechi Udeze.
The Trojans have split their two bowl games under Carroll and routed Iowa, 38-17, in the Orange Bowl last season.
Michigan has won five of its last six bowl games, including a 38-30 win over Florida in last season's Outback Bowl.
The all-time series is tied, 4-4, with six of the eight meetings coming in the Rose Bowl. In the last contest, USC posted a 17-10 victory in the 1990 Rose Bowl.
