At one point this year, USC was 6-2 with two conference losses, and its reign of Pac-10 supremacy looked like it would meet a certain doom.
But after a wild November that saw Arizona State slip and Oregon fall, USC is suddenly back on top.
“We’re always optimistic around here, playing under coach (Pete) Carroll,” senior defensive end Lawrence Jackson said. “That’s the only way we can be because he is so optimistic. A lot of people were laughing at us for thinking that way a couple of weeks ago, but for some reason we always end up at the right place at the right time.”
And the positive-thinking Trojans (9-2, 6-2 Pac-10) are exactly where they want to be as they enter Saturday’s game against UCLA (6-5, 5-3 Pac-10). With a win, No. 8 USC would clinch its sixth straight Pac-10 title and a third consecutive trip to the Rose Bowl.
“Since the first day I got here, getting to the Rose Bowl is what it’s been about,” quarterback John David Booty said. “It’s our dream each and every year. To be in the Rose Bowl is what we can control.”
USC won three straight games in November to put itself in position to win the conference. First the Trojans beat Oregon State, and then they held off Cal in a close, 24-17 contest in Berkeley. Their key win was on Thanksgiving night against Arizona State, when Booty racked up 375 yards and led the Trojans to a 44-24 win.
Now they just have to get past UCLA.
A key point in the Trojans’ preparation this week has been protecting Booty, who faced a lot of pressure in last year’s 13-9 loss to UCLA at the Rose Bowl.
“Oh yeah, I remember all the pressure I was under last year,” Booty said. “They’re really a great defensive line, led by Bruce Davis, who does a fantastic job getting after the passer.”
Another thing the USC offense will try to do differently in this year’s game is open up its playbook a little more. The Trojans’ longest play from scrimmage last year was a 39-yard pass to Dwayne Jarrett. They didn’t have a running play of more than 10 yards.
USC’s leading receiver is its tight end Fred Davis. Davis has the most receptions (49) and yards (753) of any USC pass-catcher, and he has also caught a team-high six touchdowns.
The USC defensive front has been dominant this year, holding opponents to just 85 yards rushing per game. The unit is led by Jackson and All-American tackle Sedrick Ellis.
The Trojan defense has prepared for all three of the Bruins’ potential quarterbacks: Ben Olson, Pat Cowan and Osaar Rasshan.
“We’re looking at all their guys and figuring that they are all healthy and can play,” Carroll said. “We are anticipating seeing Cowan in the game. … They’ve got everybody they need, and I’m sure they’re pumped up about that. It’s going to be a big boost for them ““ we understand what it’s like to get your quarterbacks back in order.”
Jackson said that, while he believes that Rasshan will see the field, the defense isn’t preparing a gameplan designed to stop a running quarterback.
“You can’t really prepare for a mobile quarterback,” he said. “Certain situations you can do things differently. But if you start preparing for him it’s kind of like you’re preparing to play slow.”
USC knows that it’s a big game for UCLA, too. The Bruins need a win to guarantee a trip to a bowl game, and there are 25 seniors on its roster who will be playing their last game at UCLA.
“You know it’s going to be a great game,” Booty said. “They’re playing to win the Pac-10 Championship just like we are. There’s a lot on the line for both teams, so you know we’re going to get their best effort.”
Throughout the week of practice leading up to the big game Saturday, there was one thing the Trojans weren’t talking about: last year’s loss to UCLA that knocked them out of contention for a national title.
The team seems to emulate the upbeat outlook of its head coach, who is known for his optimism.
Both Booty and Jackson said that the team hasn’t talked at all about the loss last year.
“Revenge is not a factor at all,” Jackson said. “Last year really doesn’t matter. It’s over and done with.”