GRADE-A MATCHUP CARROLL ALMOST UNBEATABLE WHEN TIME IS ON HIS SIDE.

Byline: Scott Wolf Staff Writer

If USC coach Pete Carroll got a month to prepare for every team he played, the No. 1-ranked Trojans' 34-game winning streak might be even longer.

At least, that's the conventional wisdom heading into today's national championship game against No. 2-ranked Texas at the Rose Bowl. Whenever you give Carroll time to prepare, watch out.

``If you give him three weeks, it can be dangerous,'' former USC quarterback Brandon Hance said. ``He'll find every potential flaw. I'll take Coach Carroll over (Texas coach) Mack Brown any day of the week.

``The last couple years, the defensive game plan was incredible, doing things (Oklahoma quarterback) Jason White had never seen before in the Orange Bowl (last January).''

Naturally, Carroll is the last person to ask about what makes his bowl preparations so special, as he is always worried he might give away a company secret.

``I just coach,'' he said. ``The only reason I can think people say stuff is because we won the Orange, Rose and Orange bowls (the past three years) and the performance of those teams. Otherwise, it doesn't matter.''

It's not that simple, of course. Part of Carroll's secret is keeping bowl preparation identical to regular-season practice routines. He learned as an assistant with the San Francisco 49ers that never altering your routine led to success.

``I watched the 49ers do it for years and they always did well in the playoffs,'' Carroll said.

But the more important secret is Carroll's ability to pore over game films, constantly searching for the other team's weaknesses.

``When he has extra time, he studies the game and views it from the offensive coordinator's viewpoint,'' offensive line coach Pat Ruel said. ``A lot of guys can do only one thing, either offense or defense. I sit and listen to him talk and he has a unique awareness and knows what can hurt an offense.

``He's been on both sides of the ball. He has very good analytical skills and understands the game better than others.''

Perhaps the best example of Carroll's bowl prowess occurred at the Rose Bowl two years ago, when USC defeated Michigan 28-14. The Wolverines allowed just 15 sacks all season but USC sacked quarterback John Navarre nine times.

``Navarre had no idea where people were coming from,'' Hance said. ``Defensive linemen were dropping back into coverage. Cornerbacks were blitzing. He keeps coming up with innovative cool things to do.''

Sometimes, the ideas pop into Carroll's head at unexpected times, like when he watches film at 1 a.m. Maybe his energy level is what allows for his creativity as much as anything else.

``He works with an extra passion and is so excited about it, he can't wait to be the best,'' Hance said. ``And he does it with great confidence. A lot of other people do it with nervousness or a lack of confidence.''

Hance expects Carroll to implement something innovative for today's game.

``I don't think (Texas quarterback) Vince Young has seen too many sophisticated defenses,'' he said.

ABC-TV analyst Dan Fouts said he is eager to see what wrinkles Carroll installed in USC's defense to combat Young.

``He's not afraid to experiment and be creative,'' Fouts said. ``The question is, just how innovative will Pete be?''

USC offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin said the Trojans' success in bowl games is predictable because Carroll also does well in season-openers and games following a bye.

``He gets more chances to see all the little things,'' Kiffin said. ``It's more about he gets to relay more information to the players.''

A cynic might point out that Carroll didn't fare as well in his first bowl game, the Las Vegas Bowl. USC lost to Utah, 10-6.

``Why does someone always ask about Vegas?'' Carroll joked.

But the talent level was vastly different for that game, as converted fullback Sunny Byrd played tailback. Today, USC starts a Heisman Trophy winner and probable No. 1 NFL draft pick (Reggie Bush) and another expected first-round draft pick (LenDale White) at the position.

Carroll supporters also point out that he took more control over the offense following his first season, which eventually led to a falling out with former offensive coordinator Norm Chow.

Hance said another advantage with Carroll is that the Trojans worry more about themselves than their opponent. Although Carroll searches for soft spots with Texas, he will not let the players obsess over the Longhorns.

``When I played at Purdue, we spent so much time preparing for what the other team was doing,'' Hance said. ``At USC, we would spend 10 minutes on the other team on Monday and then the focus was on you because you control yourself. You're not too worried about the other guys. It's about us.''

Ruel has known Carroll for nearly 30 years, but this season is the first time they've worked together since both were at Arkansas in 1977. Ruel said one unique aspect of Carroll is his willingness to listen to his assistants.

``Pete wants an open dialogue, he doesn't shoot things down,'' Ruel said. ``We exist in a creative think tank. There's a lot of creative trading of ideas. I've never been on a staff that's as open as this one.''

Scott Wolf, [phone]

scott.wolf(at)dailynews.com

CAPTION(S):

3 photos

Photo:

(1 -- color) no caption (cow)

Photo illustration by Shane Michael Kidder/Staff Artist

(2 -- color) USC coach Pete Carroll has led the Trojans to wins in three consecutive BCS bowl games.

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(3) USC is aiming for its third consecutive Associated Press national title under Pete Carroll.

Michael Owen Baker/Daily News