Coming up Roses

USC destroyed UCLA in a game that should really embarrass the Bruins.

True, USC is the nation's best team, but I would have thought that UCLA could put up a better fight than, say, Washington State. Only Arkansas was an easier game for the Trojans, and the Razorbacks didn't have the benefit of Matt Leinart throwing every ball 10 feet high.

Karl Dorrell and his staff had three weeks to prepare for this game, and had the benefit of watching Fresno State complete passes all over the place at the Coliseum just a fortnight ago. In reality, the Bruins were lucky to be a one-loss team, having benefited from a weak schedule, and some improbable comebacks. While UCLA has some very good offensive players, there's nothing imaginative about their play calling. And while no one can stop Reggie Bush, the UCLA run defense isn't ranked last in the country for no reason. I see UCLA being confounded by Northwestern's spread option attack in the Vitalis Sun Bowl, and getting blown out Arizona style.

While in El Paso, I recommend the Bruins head down to Juarez one night, where you can get Coronas for 50 cents.

As for USC, there's nothing much left to say. Reggie Bush is obviously the best player in the country and deserves the Heisman. I just hope he doesn't get drafted by the Houston Texans, because that should be LA's team. Here's hoping the Texans rally to win a few games, and Bush winds up with the Packers or Jets.

The Rose Bowl game looks like it could be a barn burner, but I think the Trojans defense is getting better. They're getting healthy, and the young guys are getting more experienced. Texas has the nation's best quarterback in Vince Young (yes, he's better than Matt Leinart), but they've only had one serious test all season in Ohio State. And Ohio State really should have won that game. I expect Reggie Bush to cause the Longhorns defense fits, while Matt Leinart gets back in sync. The Trojans will not be able to stop Vince Young, but they will contain him, and it will be enough for a third consecutive Trojan national championship.