ROUT TO THE TITLE? TROJANS DOMINANT ON WAY TO SUGAR BOWL.

Byline: STEVE DILBECK

Forget the BCS controversy. Forget ranking formulas via Caltech, East Coast bias, bizarro computers and the overrated strength of schedule.

It was all wiped away in a blur of cardinal and gold, eliminated on a crisp fall Coliseum afternoon that felt like the most glorious of days to USC.

Eliminated in a single half here, after a much-needed assist in Ann Arbor, Mich.

When the Trojans took the field to host rival UCLA, they were apparently the only ones in the Coliseum unaware Michigan had again opened the national championship door by knocking off Ohio State.

Then the Trojans went out and stomped on the itty-bitty Bruins, embarrassed them really. Almost played with UCLA, scoring the first 30 points and leading 33-2 at halftime.

``Then we just had to wait for the second half to get over,'' said USC coach Pete Carroll.

It made for a strange, less-than-inviting atmosphere for a USC-UCLA showdown. The sellout crowd of 93,172 seemed almost subdued by the rout, however expected. Many never returned for the second half, and the Coliseum seemed three-fourths empty midway in the fourth quarter.

By then, USC's work had been done. Despite being ranked second in the country in both wire-service polls, the Trojans were dropped last week in the mysterious BCS rankings, dropped to third behind Ohio State.

Yet, with Michigan dumping the Buckeyes 35-21 and USC then taking care of business against the Bruins, everything is set up for the Trojans to meet No. 1 Oklahoma for the national championship in the Sugar Bowl Jan. 3 in New Orleans.

Barring an amazing leap by LSU, one probably too quirky even for the BCS, the Trojans should again be ranked second in the BCS poll and ticketed for some great fun on the bayou.

After a third bye this weekend, if USC wins its final game at home against Oregon State, it's off to college football's ultimate game.

``It's almost impossible not to see yourself in New Orleans playing for the national championship,'' said USC defensive tackle Shaun Cody. ``But coach Carroll does a great job of keeping us focused.''

Carroll almost forbids mention of the Sugar Bowl. He wanted the Trojans so completely focused on UCLA, he never discussed the Michigan-Ohio State game.

``We didn't mention it,'' he said. ``I told them not to announce the score at halftime until we were in the locker room.''

By then, of course, it was game over. Quarterback Matt Leinart had continued his amazing run, completing 20 of 27 passes for 272 yards, 11 for 181 yards and two touchdowns to saluting Mike Williams.

``There's no quarterback in America playing better than him,'' Carroll said.

The question now becomes: Is there any team playing better?

Certainly unbeaten Oklahoma will be favored over the 10-1 Trojans, but under Carroll, the Trojans seemingly continue to improve by the week, and no one would be stunned by a USC victory.

The only team in the country that has played both Oklahoma and USC is ... UCLA. The Bruins fell 59-24 at Oklahoma.

``They're very similar,'' said UCLA coach Karl Dorrell. ``The offensive team I saw today was a little better than what we saw in Oklahoma. Defensively they're just as good.''

Not all the Bruins were ready to label USC the better team. UCLA defensive end Dave Ball said he would expect Oklahoma to win.

``I'm not putting (the Trojans) down or anything, because they have an awesome football team,'' Ball said. ``Them and Oklahoma, I believe should be playing for the national championship.

``But honestly, when we played Oklahoma, it was a little different than (today). That's kind of like a junior NFL team. Offense, defense, special teams, they're an A+. USC is probably a solid A.''

Grades were kindly not handed out to UCLA. This was USC's fifth consecutive victory over the overmatched Bruins, and none of the other victories was this dominant. USC's defensive line scored as many touchdowns as the UCLA offense.

``This is a great measuring stick for where we need to be,'' Dorrell said. ``We have some work to do.''

Lots and lots of work. The disparity between the two programs has never seemed so vast. And it doesn't figure to ebb soon. USC started only five seniors Saturday; UCLA seven.

In three quick years, Carroll has elevated USC to the nation's elite. And now that the BCS controversy has been brushed aside as easily as USC brushed aside UCLA, Carroll has the Trojans poised to play for the national championship.

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3 photos

Photo:

(1 -- color) Mike Williams, USC wide receiver, celebrates with the band after Saturday's victory over the UCLA Bruins.

Tom Mendoza/Staff Photographer

(2 -- color) USC's Mike Williams scores his first touchdown during Saturday's game against UCLA.

(3 -- color) Fans go crazy Saturday during USC's convincing Coliseum victory over UCLA.

Tina Burch/Staff Photographer