Unlike the previous seven years, the Trojans go into their final game with absolutely no idea where they'll be headed afterward.
Far from controlling its own destiny, USC must play Saturday and then wait until Sunday to find out which bowl it'll be playing in, a far cry from previous seasons when the Rose Bowl (or another BCS game) has either been clinched or was one win from being so.
The team's bowl placement hinges obviously on whether the Trojans win or lose against Arizona on Saturday, but it also depends on the Oregon-Oregon State game on Thursday night.
If Oregon beats Oregon State, the Ducks are Pac-10 champs and play in the Rose Bowl. Then, if the Trojans win on Saturday, they'd be tied for second place with at least two other teams. The Holiday Bowl in San Diego gets first pick after the Rose Bowl, so the Trojans could be headed there if this scenario plays out.
Otherwise, it's a total crapshoot for Trojans in the conference's bowl lineup. A win and an Oregon State victory would most likely send the Trojans to El Paso's Sun Bowl, San Francisco's Emerald Bowl or the Las Vegas Bowl. A USC loss this weekend would mean the Trojans would go bowling in San Francisco, Las Vegas or San Diego for the Poinsettia Bowl.
Here's a look at the Pac-10's bowl arrangements:
Rose Bowl • Pasadena • Pac-10 #1 vs. Big Ten #1
Holiday Bowl • San Diego • Pac-10 #2 vs. Big 12 #3/4
Sun Bowl • El Paso • Pac-10 #3 vs. Big East #2
Emerald Bowl • San Francisco • Pac-10 #4/5 vs. ACC #5/6/7
MAACO Bowl • Las Vegas • Pac-10 #4/5 vs. Mountain West
Poinsettia Bowl • San Diego • Pac-10 #6 vs. Mountain West
University Southern California Trojans
Wednesday, July 22
Wednesday, July 22
Wednesday, July 22
Wednesday, July 22
