• Preview
• Recap
• Bleachers

USC hopes to make statement to BCS

Nov 8, 2008 - 11:16 AM (22) California (6-2) at (6) USC (7-1), 8:00 pm EST

LOS ANGELES (Ticker) -- With five straight victories, Southern California has jumped up just three spots in the rankings.

In likely their best chance to impress the BCS, the sixth-ranked Trojans hope to make a push for the national title game when they face No. 22 California on Saturday.

Ranked seventh in the BCS standings behind three other one-loss teams, USC is being hurt by the weakness of the Pac-10 Conference despite scheduling three formidable non-conference games (Virginia, Ohio State and Notre Dame).

Since faltering to Oregon State on September 25, the Trojans have taken their frustrations out on the rest of the Pac-10. USC has outscored its last five conference foes by a combined margin of 214-20, including three shutouts.

Despite using the rest of the conference as their own personal punching bag, the Trojans (7-1, 5-1 Pac-10) have failed to impress pollsters.

The upset loss to the Beavers only set USC back to ninth in the rankings, but it has yet make a serious push back into the national title picture.

Mark Sanchez passed for two touchdowns and rushed for another last Saturday as the Trojans cruised to a 56-0 victory over Washington. Sanchez, who sat out the second half, finished 13-of-17 for 157 yards.

The Golden Bears overcame poor weather conditions and the loss of their starting quarterback last week, posting a 26-16 victory over Oregon.

Kevin Riley and Nate Longshore each threw a touchdown pass as Cal handled the rain a little better than the Ducks.

Riley left the game late in the first quarter with a concussion. He took a vicious shot when he tried to run for a first down instead of sliding.

Longshore came in and played well considering the conditions, completing 13-of-27 passes for 137 yards.

Saturday's contest is an important one for the Golden Bears (6-2, 4-1), who would climb to the top of the Pac-10 standings with a win and control their own destiny for a trip to the Rose Bowl.

Cal has lost its last four meetings with USC.