ROUT AND DOUBT USC WINS BIG ON FIELD, BUT NOW MUST PLAY BCS WAITING GAME USC 52, OREGON ST. 28.

Byline: Scott Wolf Staff Writer

USC probably will be ranked No. 1 in both top 25 polls today and still might find itself shut out of the Sugar Bowl.

That's the unexpected scenario facing the Trojans, who instead might face the possibility of going to the Rose Bowl with a chance to win part of the national championship.

The Trojans defeated Oregon State 52-28 on Saturday in front of 73,864 at the Coliseum, a result that had little impact on the Bowl Championship Series rankings.

Here's what does matter:

If USC is ranked No. 1 in the top 25 polls today, after top-ranked Oklahoma's loss to Kansas State, and Louisiana State is ranked No. 2, the Trojans' best hope for playing in the Sugar Bowl depends on whether Hawaii upset Boise State, a game that ended late Saturday night.

``USC can make the Sugar Bowl if Hawaii wins,'' BCS computer analyst Jerry Palm said.

The Trojans' other scenarios to make the Sugar Bowl are less likely to happen. If USC is No. 1 in the top 25 polls and LSU remains No. 3, then USC would go to New Orleans.

``If the (poll) voters make USC's gap with LSU more than one spot, then LSU is done,'' Palm said.

That means USC needs Oklahoma to drop just one place in the polls, somewhat of a long shot considering the Sooners were routed by Kansas State 35-7. However, Palm said the poll voters might intentionally alter their votes today, because of their newfound power.

``Oklahoma would drop to No. 3 under ordinary circumstances but now they know they can influence this thing, so they might make Oklahoma No. 2,'' Palm said. ``You can't trust the voters.''

If LSU and Oklahoma finish 1-2 in the final BCS rankings today, the Trojans (11-1) aren't necessarily out of the national-championship picture. That's because USC could go to the Rose Bowl to play Michigan as the nation's top-ranked team.

With a victory, USC probably would finish No. 1 in the Associated Press poll and win a share of the national title.

The coaches' poll requires its voters to make the winner of the Sugar Bowl the national champion. So in theory, USC could be ranked No. 1 in the coaches' poll today, win the Rose Bowl on New Year's Day, then find itself automatically dropped to No. 2 after the Sugar Bowl whether LSU or Oklahoma wins.

USC's biggest concern was the BCS computer poll, which is expected to favor LSU. It also didn't help that Syracuse defeated Notre Dame on Saturday.

Most of this befuddled the Trojans, who believed after the game they probably would go to the Sugar Bowl, regardless of the Oklahoma and LSU outcomes.

``I'll be disappointed if we don't make it because every team wants to be on top,'' USC offensive tackle Winston Justice said. ``I think we stated our case. The whole team wants to play in the national championship.''

Even USC coach Pete Carroll admitted his true feelings.

``I will be disappointed,'' Carroll said. ``We were so excited about playing in that game. You don't get many chances to do that. But we'll be really proud to represent the Pac-10 in the Rose Bowl. It won't take us in the dumps.''

Later, after having some time to reflect, Carroll said he expected the Trojans to be keep playing for the national championship in the future.

``I really feel we'll have a chance to do this over and over,'' Carroll said. ``We think we'll be playing for the national championship again and again. We left the door open for some issues right now (by losing to California) but this is where I hoped it could be.

``I was told by so many people USC can't be a dominant team again. We know we can take it right to the top. I don't see anything changing that. We're officially started. We're underway.

``The program is on the run and we're in the middle of a run to see how far we can take it. Three years ago, everyone told me you couldn't do it.''

The uncertainty of the situation caused stress for some players.

``I'll definitely be nervous tonight and tomorrow,'' linebacker Dallas Sartz said. ``There's no doubt in my mind we deserve to be in the Sugar Bowl. We definitely proved we're the best team.''

Oh yeah, the Trojans played a game, too, Saturday. Although inconsistent early, USC recovered with another blowout, as quarterback Matt Leinart threw five touchdown passes and receiver Mike Williams caught two of them.

Cornerback Will Poole and linebacker Lofa Tatupu intercepted two passes each.

``We were kind of sluggish in the beginning but we showed even if we're playing bad we should be in the Sugar Bowl,'' said receiver Steve Smith, who caught a 73-yard touchdown pass.

Smith said it didn't matter to him if the Trojans played in the Sugar or Rose Bowl.

``Even if we go to the Rose Bowl, I hear we get $1,200 per diem, so I'm not real worried about that.''

Few others are as calm about USC's predicament.

``The BCS is funny,'' Justice said. ``They might do some funny things to us. I'm not confident.''

CAPTION(S):

3 photos, box

Photo:

(1 -- color) Mike Williams looks like a sure thing on this nifty touchdown catch, but a USC Sugar Bowl berth doesn't.

(2) Mike Williams (1) and Gregg Guenther (44) get up as USC blocks a field goal attempt.

(3) USC coach Pete Carroll, left, celebrates Saturday's victory at the Coliseum with quarterback Matt Leinart.

Tom Mendoza/Staff Photographer

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