Heavy Odds on Vegas Bowl

USC expects to receive an invitation, in some shape or form, from the Las Vegas Bowl today. The bowl’s committee met Monday and an official said the members want to select USC. The Trojans want to be selected, too. The only thing standing in the way was the bowl championship series.

As of the afternoon meeting, there remained a slim chance Oregon could make it to the Rose Bowl and an even slimmer chance Washington or Washington State could slip into another BCS game. That would elevate USC to the Seattle Bowl. But BCS officials might release the Washington schools from consideration this morning, which would make USC’s trip to Las Vegas official. If not, the Trojans could receive a conditional invitation.

The Christmas Day game--though minor--has its advantages. It will be the only game on national television that day, the weather should be warm and the location is close enough for fans to drive. The likely opponent is Utah, a 7-3 team from the Mountain West Conference whose losses came against Oregon, Colorado State and Brigham Young. Senior running back Dameon Hunter ranks 17th in the nation with an average of 117 yards.

The Utes conclude their season at Air Force on Saturday. USC begins postseason practices Friday.

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Safety Troy Polamalu and special teams player Kevin Arbet were named to the All-Pacific 10 team. Defensive end Lonnie Ford and cornerback Chris Cash made the second team.

Cash, who missed the end of the season with a broken knee cap, might recover in time for postseason play.