BCS Appearance Is Right on Schedule

Coach Pete Carroll was unmoved Monday by the Trojans’ first appearance in the bowl championship series rankings.

USC, 5-2 overall and 3-1 in the Pacific 10 Conference, was rated No. 14 based on a BCS formula that includes polls, computer rankings, strength of schedule and other factors.

“I don’t really understand how it works,” Carroll said. “That must be some indication of the strength of schedule for us.”

USC’s schedule was rated as the fourth toughest. The Trojans are one of two teams in the BCS top 15 with two losses. Florida State, rated No. 12, also is 5-2.

Teams ranked in the BCS top 12 at the end of the season are eligible for participation in the four BCS bowls -- the Fiesta, Sugar, Orange and Rose.

The Pac-10 champion plays in the Rose Bowl unless it qualifies for the national championship game, which is the Fiesta Bowl this season.

Oregon, USC’s opponent this Saturday, is ranked No. 15 in the BCS.

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After extending its home winning streak to seven games with a 41-21 victory over Washington last Saturday, USC will not see the Coliseum for almost a month.

“We had a special little celebration looking at the highlights of our game because we won’t be there for a while,” Carroll said.

The Trojans, who have lost two of three road games, play at Oregon on Saturday and then have a bye. They play at Stanford on Nov. 9 before returning home for a Nov. 16 game against Arizona State.

“It’s going to be tough playing on the road, but I think we learned a lot at Kansas State and Washington State,” defensive lineman Mike Patterson said. “We’re going to be ready.”

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Safety Troy Polamalu and wide receiver Kareem Kelly, both of whom have ankle injuries, did not participate in drills, but are expected to practice today. Carroll would not say whether Kelly would start ahead of freshman Mike Williams, who caught three touchdown passes against Washington and had his third consecutive 100-yard receiving game. “Either way, both guys will play and play a lot,” Carroll said. Kelly and Oregon receiver Keenan Howry each have caught passes in 42 consecutive games and can establish a Pac-10 record with one reception Saturday.... Junior offensive tackle Jacob Rogers, who missed the Washington game because of a bruised right knee, might practice this week but is not expected to play against Oregon.... Freshman offensive lineman Fred Matua performed some agility drills and said he hoped to complete a full practice Thursday with an eye on making the trip to Oregon. Matua had arthroscopic surgery on his right knee Oct. 3 and is still likely to redshirt.