BID MAY ELUDE USC'S GRASP.

Byline: Scott Wolf Daily News Staff Writer

With its Aloha Bowl hopes all but eliminated, USC may be reduced to hoping the Independence or Las Vegas Bowl offer an invitation this week or the Trojans could be shut out of a bowl game.

USC should receive confirmation of its worst fears today, when Washington is extended the Aloha Bowl bid the Trojans coveted for the past few weeks.

``Indications we've gotten are they're going with Washington,'' Pacific-10 Conference assistant commissioner Jim Muldoon said.

``It does look favorable for Washington,'' Aloha Bowl executive director Marcia Klompus added.

Washington has scheduled a news conference for this afternoon, about the same time the Aloha Bowl is expected to make its official announcement.

There is still a scenario in which USC could go to the Aloha Bowl, but it is considered a long shot. No. 6 UCLA would have to be chosen by the bowl alliance.

But even after No. 4-ranked Penn State was upset by Michigan State Saturday, it appeared Ohio State, North Carolina and perhaps even Florida remain more attractive to the coalition than the Bruins. If No.3-ranked Tennessee loses next week, however, in the Southeastern Conference championship, UCLA could be ranked third in the nation, making it extremely difficult for the coalition to ignore the Bruins.

As for USC, the Las Vegas Bowl and Independence Bowl are the only two realistic hopes the Trojans have of playing in the postseason. A probable opponent in the Independence Bowl would be Louisiana State. USC is receptive to the idea of playing a national program like LSU.

``(The Independence Bowl) is interested in USC,'' Muldoon said.

So is Las Vegas, which lost its top choice for its at-large team when Michigan State accepted a bid to the Aloha Bowl on Saturday.

USC (6-5) had informed the Las Vegas Bowl that it would bow out of consideration when the Trojans were waiting for the Aloha Bowl to make up its mind. But both parties now have reason to reassess the situation.

``I think they'll make a run at SC,'' Muldoon said.