Bloody nose is nothing to sniff at

Linebacker Rey Maualuga could not staunch the bleeding, so he was escorted from the practice field Tuesday to have his nose cauterized.

The bloodshed, surprisingly, was not the result of a hit.

“I’ve just got a bad cough, bronchitis or something,” Maualuga said after finishing the practice. “I started coughing a lot and it just started coming out.”

As eighth-ranked USC moves toward Saturday’s showdown with crosstown rival UCLA, Maualuga expects to be reminded of one of the most enduring images from last year’s game.

Bruins quarterback Patrick Cowan scrambled to the sideline near USC’s bench where Maualuga delivered a bone-crunching tackle that has been replayed thousands of times on highlight shows, Internet loops and even as a message board signature.

Cowan did not flinch, bouncing right up and leading the Bruins to their 13-9 upset.

“Nothing came out of that hit,” Maualuga said. “We didn’t win and we didn’t get a fumble.

“[This year] I just look forward to getting one that does matter and means something in the end.”

Coach Pete Carroll says he anticipates that Cowan will play against the Trojans despite suffering a concussion and a collapsed lung on Nov. 3 against Arizona.

Ben Olson and Osaar Rasshan also are available for the Bruins.

“We’re looking at all their guys figuring they’re all healthy and can play,” Carroll said. “They have everybody they need. I’m sure they’re pumped up about that.”

USC is on the outside looking in at the Bowl Championship Series title-game hunt.

But Carroll refuses to acknowledge that it’s over for the Trojans, who are eighth in the BCS standings.

“I think it’s important for us and the other teams that are still within range of that game to play like crazy here in these last couple shots because anything can happen,” Carroll said.

On Saturday, a Rose Bowl bid will be at stake when the Trojans and Bruins play at the Coliseum.

Carroll said he was fine with the scenario, but he did not hold back when asked about the BCS.

Carroll said the system “does not have anything to say about who the best team is at the end of the year, meaning who would be the team that would win if you had a playoff. Who’s playing the best football.

“And I don’t say that because I think that’s who we are. We haven’t finished our season yet. We’ve got games to play yet. But there are teams out there, and we’re one of them, that could arguably be able to beat anybody in America when the time comes. And I don’t think the system is accounting for that.”

Carroll said he was in favor of a playoff system.

“I don’t know it any other way,” he said. “I want to battle and compete and find out who’s the last guy standing.”

Senior linebacker Keith Rivers (ankle) completed much of the workout and Carroll said he would start Saturday if he continued to progress. . . . Defensive tackle Fili Moala (concussion) was held out again and could be questionable for UCLA. Carroll said end Lawrence Jackson could play some at tackle against the Bruins. . . . Cornerback Cary Harris suffered a possibly dislocated finger and was scheduled to be evaluated, Carroll said.

gary.klein@latimes.com