Status quo for the Trojans

The Trojans remained right where they left off before their free weekend: 11th in the Associated Press media poll and 11th in the Bowl Championship Series standings.

The Trojans returned to practice Sunday with fresh legs and appeared enthused about playing seventh-ranked Arizona State, which is sixth in the BCS standings.

All-American offensive tackle Sam Baker went through most of the workout for the first time since re-injuring his hamstring on Oct. 27 against Oregon.

“I haven’t really done anything for a long time,” Baker said. “I think the rest helped.”

According to Coach Pete Carroll, freshman linebacker Malcolm Smith used practice last week to vault into a possible role if weak-side linebacker Keith Rivers is unable to play because of an ankle sprain.

Kaluka Maiava would start in Rivers’ place. Thomas Williams, the ultimate linebacker utilityman, also could play there, but Carroll said he would have no problem playing Smith.

Carroll on college football results over the weekend and the impact on the Trojans: “Nothing’s in stone right now. There’s still a lot of football to be played. A lot of stuff can happen here. So, it’s exciting to be in the situation that we’re in to have a chance to play for the [Pacific 10 Conference] championship.”

Injury report: Rivers did light work for the first time since re-injuring his left ankle in the victory over California on Nov. 10.

Carroll, however, said Rivers was far from a sure thing for Thursday’s game.

“At the end of the week, if he’s hobbling still, then we’re not going to play him just to throw him out there. . . . He’s got to be really humming, really feeling good,” Carroll said.

Defensive end Kyle Moore (hand) is scheduled to see a doctor today to evaluate his radial nerve.

Moore said he would play against Arizona State.

Baker also said he could play.

Looking ahead to the Trojans’ game vs. No. 7 Arizona State (Thursday, Sun Devil Stadium, Tempe, Ariz., 5 p.m., ESPN).

First look: Arizona State also had an open date last week after beating UCLA, 24-20, on Nov. 10.

The Sun Devils’ only loss was to Oregon, 35-23, on Nov. 3.

“They’ve really been a real obvious second half team,” Carroll said.

“Other than the Oregon game they’ve played a lot of beautiful football.”

Topic of the week: The Rose Bowl.

Dennis Dixon’s season-ending knee injury in a loss to Arizona puts Oregon’s prospects for a strong finish in doubt.

If USC beats Arizona State and UCLA, the Trojans could be bound for Pasadena.

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gary.klein@latimes.com

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Season log (8-2)

Sept. 1: Idaho (1-10); won, 38-10

Sept. 15: at then-No. 14 Nebraska (5-6); won 49-31

Sept. 22: Washington State (4-7, 2-6 in Pac-10); won, 47-14

Sept. 29: Washington (4-7, 2-6); won, 27-24

Oct. 6: Stanford (3-7, 2-6); lost, 24-23

Oct. 13: Arizona (5-6, 4-4); won, 20-13

Oct. 20: at Notre Dame (2-9); won, 38-0

Oct. 27: at then-No. 5 Oregon (8-2, 5-2); lost, 24-17

Nov. 3: Oregon State (7-4, 5-3); Won, 24-3

Nov. 10: at then-No. 24 California (6-5, 3-5); won, 24-17; Golden Bears have lost five of six games since escaping from Oregon with a victory on Sept. 29.

Thursday at No. 7 Arizona State (9-1, 6-1); Sun Devils were tied or ahead at halftime in the Trojans’ last two visits to Tempe, Ariz. USC won both games.

Dec. 1: UCLA (5-5, 4-3)