WILL SLIDE EXTEND TO 6 IN STICKS?

Byline: Scott Wolf Staff Writer

There's an old joke that you can see the end of the world here in the Palouse, which is fitting because that's right about where USC sees itself these days.

The Trojans (3-6, 1-5) are limping toward their season's conclusion, with little left to play for after losing their fifth straight game last week and being eliminated from bowl contention.

A trip to play Washington State (2-7, 1-5) hardly sounds like an elixir to the current ills permeating the program. But it might be what the Trojans deserve as they try to stave off their first six-game losing streak since 1991. Or worse, the possibility of becoming the first USC team to lose seven straight games.

If USC can't reverse its fortunes against the lowly Cougars, perhaps it should set some records for futility.

``It's a three-game season and we've got to go do it,'' USC coach Paul Hackett said. ``We can't worry about the other stuff. When the season is over, we'll hash it out, but not now. Right now we have to focus on Washington State.''

That means issues like implementing the shotgun, or whether John Fox should have been allowed to play linebacker, or whether Hackett could have done things differently, will be put on hold.

The Trojans just want a victory, something they haven't experienced since Oct. 2, when they defeated Oregon State.

The closest USC is getting to any apocalyptic activity is placing all its hopes on the arm of Fox, who has gamely tried to get his groove back after nearly two seasons away from playing quarterback.

``I think what we need to do is focus on John Fox,'' Hackett said.

Fox will make his second straight start today, but Hackett said he will not be as likely to pull the senior out and insert junior Mike Van Raaphorst, which he did early in the third quarter against Arizona State. Fox's removal immediately became the latest Hackett move to be second-guessed.

Could Fox last all four quarters?

``I think he'll start and let's see how he's doing,'' Hackett said. ``It could happen.''

Privately, Fox is the overwhelming choice of his teammates. Some have even gone public with their opinions.

``With Van Raaphorst, you have to wait for the ball. He floats them,'' freshman wide receiver Kareem Kelly said. ``John Fox is not Carson Palmer, but he's the closest thing to him. John is athletic, runs, scrambles out of the pocket and gives you a better opportunity to make a play.

``John brings energy and intensity to the field and that is what we need to overcome this barrier.''

For his part, Fox is just trying to continue to acclimate himself to game conditions after being written off by the coaching staff last season and languishing at tight end and linebacker.

``I think I can get my completion rate up this week and fine-tune some stuff,'' said Fox, who actually completed 15 of 24 passes for 148 yards before getting the hook. ``Obviously, I wasn't happy. We didn't put up many points.''

Fox might not be perfect, but the struggling Trojans don't have any other choice today.

``We have to play at our best and I've been saying that for five weeks and we have yet to do it,'' Hackett said.