USC’s win keeps Rose Bowl hopes alive, with or without a Pac-12 title

USC cornerback Adoree’ Jackson was asleep in his hotel room before the Trojans’ game Saturday against UCLA when a ruckus arose nearby.

“I heard everybody screaming,” Jackson said. “I thought it was a fight or something out there.”

Safety Chris Hawkins said it sounded “like an earthquake inside the whole hotel.” He said security guards came up to check on the commotion.

That wasn’t necessary. USC was just excited that Utah had lost to Oregon. The Utes’ loss combined with the Trojans’ win on Saturday meant USC could still claim a Pac-12 championship and make a Rose Bowl, the Trojans’ goal from the season’s start. If Utah defeats Colorado next weekend, USC will win the Pac-12 South Division and play for the title.

But even a Colorado win on Saturday doesn’t eliminate USC from Rose Bowl consideration. If the Pac-12 champion advances to the playoff — Washington would be in a good position to do so and Colorado could make a case — the Rose Bowl is free to take another Pac-12 team.

The loser of the Pac-12 title game wouldn’t be a lock: The bowl has generally selected according to College Football Playoff ranking, with head-to-head results taken into consideration.

Four teams remain possible Pac-12 championship game participants: No. 6 Washington, No. 10 Colorado, No. 13 USC and No. 22 Washington State, according to last week’s rankings. USC has defeated Colorado and Washington (it didn’t play Washington State), meaning the Trojans could have a case to finish ahead of any possible runner-up.

For now, USC Coach Clay Helton said he is advising his team to ignore any such speculation.

“The fact of the matter is we can’t control anything that’s out there when it comes to bowl games or rankings or how people are picked,” Helton said on a teleconference with reporters on Sunday. “All I know is you’re not even going to get looked at if you don’t go out and do your job each and every week.”

Jackson said the only way USC can help its case is to defeat Notre Dame on Saturday, so it is best to make that the sole objective.

“If we focus on ourselves and our team and not worry about what everyone else thinks, we’ll be doing fine,” Jackson said.

Of course, if Colorado loses, USC would control its own Rose Bowl destiny.

“We’re going into this week really optimistic,” left tackle Chad Wheeler said.

The next…?

Coaches, teammates and opponents have yet to settle upon an agreeable comparison for USC quarterback Sam Darnold.

Two more ideas were floated after Saturday’s game.

“He’s a truly special one,” UCLA Coach Jim Mora said. “He reminds me of a younger Tony Romo.”

USC quarterbacks coach Tyson Helton mused that “he’s kind of like Brett Favre.”

Surmounting McKinley

Clay Helton said last week that UCLA defensive end Takkarist McKinley would be the toughest challenge USC’s offensive line had faced all season.

USC was up for it. McKinley finished Saturday with four tackles, zero for loss, and one pass breakup.

“That’s all we heard all week — 98,” guard Damien Mama said, referring to McKinley’s uniform number. “It kind of gets to us.”

Quick hits

Receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster was diagnosed with a hip pointer and an arm injury when he left Saturday’s game in the second quarter, though he later returned. Helton said he would return to practice on Tuesday or Wednesday. … Center Nico Falah dislocated a finger in his left (non-snapping) hand, offensive tackle Chad Wheeler sprained his wrist, Jackson injured his ankle and outside linebacker Porter Gustin injured his ankle on Saturday, but all stayed in the game. ... Josh Fatu (ankle sprain) did not play. … Defensive back Keyshawn Young is in concussion protocol. ... USC moved up three spots to No. 12 in the Associated Press top 25 poll. The next College Football Playoff rankings will be released on Tuesday. … ESPN said Saturday’s game had the best overnight rating (1.8) for a late kickoff this season across all networks.

zach.helfand@latimes.com

Follow Zach Helfand on Twitter @zhelfand