Why Not USC in BCS?

It's that time of year again! Time to start stumping for your favorite team to make it into the BCS Championship.

This year it seems the decision has already been made. The reservations are booked. The BCS will select Oklahoma (provided it takes care of the Tigers this weekend in cold KC) to play the winner of the SEC Championship Game to battle for the title.

Is this the correct decision?

Last we checked, there are three other one loss BCS programs which have been left out of the equation here.

Texas and coach Mack Brown have used every media outlet they could find to plead their case to the nation and the voters. Big Mack has been on every sports show on the "World Wide Leader." A banner, provided by Texas boosters, was flown around the campus of Oklahoma State on Saturday.

Texas has done everything short of interviewing with "60 Minutes," and making a guest appearance on "The View." (It is rumored that Elizabeth Hasselbeck has a HUGE crush on Colt McCoy.)

While we recognize we do not possibly carry the same influence, it is time someone attempts to make a case for USC.

Today we will look at why the University of Southern California (every time I read that I break into a Keith Jackson voice) deserves a shot at the BCS Championship Game.

The Trojans are a team built to make any SEC fan proud. Their "defense first" mentality this season has made them THE defense in college football. The Trojans' defense has first-round NFL talent at nearly every position, and might just shut out Daunte Culpepper and the mighty Detroit Lions.

The Trojans rank No. 1 in every major statistical defensive category. They have allowed only 10 touchdowns all season! Seven of which were scored in two games. USC has held nine opponents to 10 points or less, including three shut outs. They are giving up a mere 3.4 yards per play.

The Men of Troy traveled over 2,200 miles to hand Virginia a 52-7 home opening whoopin'.

The Trojan's turned around and dominated, now 10-2, Ohio State, 35-3. The Buckeyes returned 19 starters from a team which played in the 2008 BCS Championship Game.

USC's annual rivalry game against Notre Dame resulted in a complete embarrassment for a once proud Irish program. USC held ND without a first down until the final play of the third quarter.

USC's collection of non-conference victories is more impressive than Alabama's, which includes Clemson, Tulane, Arkansas State, and Western Kentucky.

SEC fans will scream "The Tide defeated Arkansas, Georgia, Tennessee, and LSU all on the road!"

How great was that home advantage this year? Lets not forget Wyoming and Georgia Tech took care of business in Knoxville and Athens, and it took LSU the largest comeback in school history to overcome Troy in Baton Rouge. Remember, the mighty SEC is only 6-10 against BCS programs this year.

Finally, lets look at everyone's favorite barometer when judging the beauty pageant that is college football, "Who did you lose to?"

Everyone knows this answer. We even warned of it! USC lost at Oregon State 27-21. A game where the Trojans were listless and outplayed in the first half, taking a 21-0 deficit to the locker room. They outscored the Beavers 21-6 in the second half but it wasn't enough.

Oregon State used this victory as a spring board to its season as it came one game shy of reaching the Rose Bowl and a Pac-10 Championship. Are college football teams allowed to have bad days?

Absolutely!

Ask Florida if it played its best at home against Ole' Miss this year. The Gators' complete third quarter meltdown led to a Rebel victory, yet the Gators still play on.

USC did what it could to make it to the BCS Championship Game. If not for a first half meltdown in Corvalis, USC would be smelling more than roses this year.