Does USC Merely Play Out String?

There is a “W” in Washington State.

The question is whether USC can bring it home from the Palouse after losing five games in a row.

This is what it has come to with three games left in the season: The Trojans must beat Washington State--a team that has won only one conference game since reaching the Rose Bowl two seasons ago--to avoid tying the USC record for consecutive losses with six in a row.

“I look at this week as we have three games left--three games in my senior year, and three games left with this team,” said John Fox, who began this season as a linebacker and third-string quarterback but will start at quarterback today for the second week in a row. “We want to win them all.”

The Trojans have worried about the weather all week, but the forecast calls for an unseasonably mild afternoon for the 4 p.m. regionally televised game--a matchup of two of the three teams tied for last place in the Pacific 10 at 1-5. (UCLA is the other.)

“Being on ABC television is real nice--especially this time of year with the records both of these teams have,” Washington State Coach Mike Price said in his typically droll manner. “It’s great for us, because normally they take winning teams.”

Washington State is 2-7 overall. The Trojans are 3-6.

“Washington State is having the same kind of year that we’re having,” USC Coach Paul Hackett said. “They have a chance to make plays, and they don’t make them. They’ve played some close games.”

Last week’s game wasn’t one of them--a 52-10 loss to Oregon, a team that beat USC, 33-30, in triple overtime.

Washington State’s loss to Oregon raised questions about whether the team had quit competing, but USC is usually inspiration enough.

And take note, the Cougars beat California--another team that defeated USC--and the Cougars’ upset bid against Arizona was ruined by an official’s botched call.

Washington State can be dangerous because of its one-back, wide-open offense, even though Ryan Leaf has been replaced by Steve Birnbaum at quarterback, Nian Taylor is the only remaining Fab Five receiver and a freshman is starting at running back.

Deon Burnett, who has gotten a chance to play only because of injuries at running back, has four 100-yard games this season--although he has a sore back and was held to 25 yards last week.

Still, with 761 yards rushing, he has a shot to break the Pac-10 freshman rushing record of 1,069 yards set by Stanford’s Darrin Nelson in 1977.

At quarterback, Birnbaum is adequate.

“He’s not in the elite group, obviously, but he’s a lot better than people think, particularly around here. We’re pretty spoiled,” Price said. “He’s completed 57% of his passes and he has the fewest interceptions [three] of any quarterback in the Pac-10.

“He’s doing good--not great, but good--and he’s doing the best he can do, and that’s all you can ask.”

The Trojans probably haven’t done the best they can do all season--except perhaps for halves against Hawaii, Notre Dame and Stanford.

“I think they’re really good,” Price said. “I know their record isn’t very good, but they’ve lost close games.

“When their quarterback [Carson Palmer] went down, they really haven’t been able to get on all eight cylinders. They’ve got some great receivers. Their defense comes to play.”

As usual, the Trojans’ biggest worry is themselves.

USC has struggled with close games--losing to Oregon by three points, Arizona by seven, Notre Dame by one and Stanford by four.

But the last two games the Trojans seem to have regressed, losing by 10 points to Cal and Arizona State.

Turnovers have been the theme--11 the last three games, including three interceptions that led directly to touchdowns.

The Trojans will be happy if they don’t have to deal with a wet ball--Price likes to tease about the possibility of snow, which is definitely not in the forecast.

“It’s always fun to play USC in Pullman, and I just know they love coming up here,” Price said. “It might be a little cold and dreary for them, and a little slipperier on the turf, but I know they’re excited to come up here and play.”

Question is, will they come to win?

“I told the seniors, ‘Now it’s your time to go out and get these three wins,’ ” Hackett said. “You’re going to be remembered for what you do these last three games.”

Good enough, safety David Gibson said.

“We want to go out with a bang.”

Not a whimper.