COLLEGE FOOTBALL REPORT WEEKDAY UPDATE : USC : A Bad News/Bad News Situation

More bad news for USC fans:

--In its 31-0 dismantling of the Trojans last Saturday, Washington played without two defensive starters, inside linebacker James Clifford and outside linebacker Jaime Fields, but still limited USC’s first-string offense to four first downs and 75 total yards, holding the Trojans to minus-five yards rushing.

--Once one of college football’s most feared running teams, USC has managed only 82.7 yards a game on the ground, which ranks ahead of only UCLA among Pacific 10 teams, and only 2.3 yards a rushing attempt, worst in the Pac-10.

--Tailback Ricky Ervins, who led the Pac-10 in rushing last season and ran for more than 100 yards in nine of the Trojans’ 12 games, has yet to have a 100-yard game this season and is averaging 60 yards a game, three yards an attempt.

--Even if the Trojans won all seven of their remaining Pac-10 games, Washington would have to lose a game, and lose or tie another, for USC to return to the Rose Bowl for a fourth consecutive season.

--Coach Larry Smith, who votes each week in the United Press International poll, has yet to include the Trojans among the nation’s top 15 teams, “because we (aren’t) that good,” he said. “We’re an average team that’s going to have to fight its butt off each week to win.”

--Up next is Ohio State Saturday at Columbus, Ohio.