Editors Faceoff: USC vs. Texas
For the first time in its eight-year history, the BCS saw the first place position jump between two teams twice in consecutive weeks.
This week the USC Trojans were back at their rightful spot of No. 1 with the Texas Longhorns trailing by a microscopic .0038 margin.
If you ask me it really shouldn't be that close and, mark my words, it won't be a few weeks from now. By the time this season finishes and the annual blowup over the BCS goes down, Texas and their perfect record might not even find themselves in the Rose Bowl.
Before we get into the big picture though let's take a closer look at the intriguing match-up between the two teams who came into the season ranked No. 1 and 2. Longhorn quarterback Vince Young is a star, there's no doubt about it. Athletically, this guy may be the most gifted athlete in the country.
If I were a college coach however, I'd rather try to take on the task of shutting down one Heisman candidate as opposed to two.
I'm referring of course, to the Trojans' early frontrunners for the Heisman, quarterback Matt Leinart and tailback Reggie Bush. Leinart's numbers are equally as staggering as Young's, (19 touchdowns, six interceptions to 16 touchdowns, eight interceptions respectively) and if, for some reason, hell froze over and he went cold, Bush (909 rushing yards, 10 rushing touchdowns) would be there to pick up the slack.
Bottom line, the Longhorns' offense relies too much on one man. Young is so good that hasn't mattered, but in a national title game you have to have backup plans. If Young were to go down in flames, what would Texas's be?
There's also the fact that this team is blessed. It happens from time to time in sports where a team, literally, becomes magic. The Trojans haven't lost a game since Sept. 27, 2003. For a streak to go that long, there has to be some voodoo stuff going on.
At Notre Dame the Fighting Irish had done everything but torn down the goalposts in celebration. With seven seconds remaining in the game and the Trojans needing the end zone, Leinart fumbled the ball on the goal line. If the Irish had gathered the ball, rolled out of the end zone or stayed in the field of play the game would have been over. Instead the ball went out of bounds. Leinart scored on the next play. See what I'm saying? Magic.
I promised to get back to the big picture, so here it is. Texas's remaining games are against teams with combined conference records of 5-10. If Virginia Tech can win this week against No. 6 Miami, (Fl.), they'll make a strong case that they should get the opportunity to play for the national title.
I don't know who should play USC in the Rose Bowl. Truth is, I don't care. As messed up as the BCS is, as long as the Trojans are playing, at least they got it half-right.
Brett Okamoto is the sports editor for the Collegian.
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