NO. 4 USC TROJANS. Southern Cal solved its turnover problem from the OSU debacle, and the Trojans' plus-3 on the Ducks proved deadly. It didn't hurt that they also shut down Jonathan Stewart on the ground (42 yards, 14 touches) ... the only time Stewart found paydirt was in the fourth quarter on a seven-yard pass reception when the Ducks were already down 28-3. Oregon looked sluggish and was outclassed by the Trojans and if that is any sort of indicator for the last three games of the year, the true Rose Bowl Game that should be played in Pasadena will be taking place in the Arizona desert. USC lost running back Emmanuel Moody for the season with an ankle injury, but it came at a time when Chauncey Washington finally asserted himself into the feature tailback role with 119 yards on just 15 lugs and 3 TDs. This week's matchup with Cal has a strange vibe to it, since everyone and their dog expected the Bears to walk all over Arizona and come into the Coliseum with a valid shot at playing for the national title. Instead, turnovers marred Cal's loss in Tucson and the Bears come limping in while USC is riding high again. There's a lot at stake in this game for both teams. The loser will end up in the Holiday Bowl, but if Cal wins, it'll be in the Rose Bowl Game for the first time in 49 years. If USC wins, they'll be two games away from a shot at the national title with the Rose Bowl Game invite in their back pocket.
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