Third Time's the Charm

The USC Trojans defeated Penn State 38-24 to become Rose Bowl Champions for the third straight year. USC outscored the Nittany Lions 24-0 in the second quarter, and led 31-7 at halftime. Trojan QB Mark Sanchez was named offensive MVP of the game, completing 28 of 35 passes while throwing for 413 yards and 4 touchdowns, as well as scoring a rushing TD. Kaluka Maiava was the defensive MVP, making 4 tackles and breaking up 2 passes. Damian Williams caught 162 of Sanchez's 413 yards and scored a touchdown. PSU QB Daryll Clark threw for 273 yards with 2 TDs, but also 2 interceptions. This was the last game for many on the defense, as well as offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian, who will become Washington's head coach next season. The Pac-10 finished 5-0 in bowl games.

Editor's Note: USC Has High Expectations

While people will be uncorking the Dom Perignon at midnight tonight, celebrating the end of 2008 and the coming of 2009, the students of USC and Penn State will be thinking of roses. The roses of the parade, and the roses of Pasadena's Granddaddy of Them All. With a fourth consecutive Rose Bowl berth and the highest rated defense in the nation, the Trojans have high expectations to defeat the Nittany Lions. It's especially hard on the defense itself, as it will be the last time the entire squad, including Brian Cushing and Rey Maualuga, will be out on the field together. With the experience and depth of USC, it should win easily. Only they won't. Penn State is tough. Their only loss came at the hands of a last-second Iowa field-goal. They defeated Oregon State, the same Oregon State that nearly destroyed USC's hopes at a Pasadena berth (not that anyone was complaining). This game will be no cakewalk. Don't let the Trojan's 9-point spread deceive you. This will be the most challenging foe the Trojans have seen in years.

USC's Outlook is Rosey

The USC Trojans have made it official: They are going to the Rose Bowl. On FOX's BCS selection show, it was announced that the Trojans will play Joe Paterno's Penn State Nittany Lions in the "Granddaddy of them All". USC finished at #5 in the official BCS rankings, which selected Oklahoma and Florida as the two teams that will compete in the Championship Game. Controversy surrounds this selection, as all top 5 teams had just one loss, plus the complex Big-12 "Texas Tech beat Texas who beat Oklahoma who beat Texas Tech" vicious circle. The selection came just as it was announced that USC offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian has accepted the head coaching position at Washington.

USC Stays Idle, But Oultlook Seems Rosey

The USC football team failed to move ahead in the BSC rankings, remaining at #5. However, the Oregon State Beavers were defeated by Oregon, and USC now has the opportunity to clinch the Pac-10 championship and a Rose Bowl berth against Penn State with a win next week against crosstown rival UCLA.

USC Says Bye to 6th Place

The USC Trojans moved up in the BSC standings, from #6 to #5, after Texas Tech's blowout loss to Oklahoma, which dropped the Red Raiders to #7. USC, who had a bye-week before they play Notre Dame, still needs an Oregon State loss to go to the Rose Bowl to face Joe Paterno's Penn State Nittany Lions.

Nowhere to Go But Up for Trojans

The USC Trojans defeated the #21 Cal Bears 17-3, and look to move up in the BCS rankings after # 3 Penn State's loss to Iowa. QB Mark Sanchez had two TD passes with 238 yards.