No Worries Over Position in BCS

USC players and coaches gave what amounted to a collective shrug Monday when they learned that the Trojans were No. 7 in the initial Bowl Championship Series standings.

“I don’t care,” Coach Pete Carroll said. “We have to go play. At the end is when it counts.”

USC, ranked fifth in the Associated Press poll, is behind Oklahoma, Miami, Virginia Tech, Georgia, Florida State and Ohio State in the BCS standings.

Carroll said the Rose Bowl remains the Trojans’ primary focus, especially with a Pacific 10 Conference game at Washington on Saturday. California’s loss to UCLA cleared the way for USC to clinch the Rose Bowl berth if the Trojans win the rest of their games.

But defensive tackle Shaun Cody acknowledged that the BCS system is making the Trojans pay for their triple-overtime loss to Cal.

“We had a slip -- and it was a big slip,” Cody said. “I think [the BCS system] is punishing us. They don’t respect us, obviously.”

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In an attempt to get more production from the No. 3 receiver spot, Carroll switched redshirt sophomore William Buchanon from cornerback to receiver and sophomore Justin Wyatt moved from receiver to cornerback.

Freshman Steve Smith has played the most as the third receiver behind Mike Williams and Keary Colbert.

“We’ve rotated a lot of guys through and nobody has really emerged,” Carroll said.

Wyatt and Buchanon said they welcomed the switch, which Carroll said could be reversed if necessary because of depth problems.

“I was nickel-back my first year, so I think I have a pretty good chance,” Wyatt said. “I have to knock off some rust technique-wise.”

Buchanon was switched from receiver to cornerback last season and started three games. This season, he was fourth in the rotation.

“Wide receiver is where my heart is, really,” Buchanon said. “I felt kind of rusty, but I’ll be all right....”

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Quarterback Matt Cassel said he would inform coaches today whether he would move to tight end as they requested last week. It seems probable the junior would make the move.

Cassel said offensive coordinator Norm Chow on Monday “mentioned the fact that there wasn’t a good opportunity for me to play [as a quarterback]. And he said that ... they might break it down to where they only travel with three quarterbacks, so that means that maybe I might not travel.”

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Defensive end Omar Nazel was fitted for a cast for a dislocated right thumb, but Carroll said he would probably play against Washington.... Offensive tackle Jacob Rogers had an MRI exam on his sprained right knee. Carroll said Rogers and linebacker Matt Grootegoed (high ankle sprain) would not practice, if at all, until later in the week.

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Free safety Jason Leach sustained a cut over his right eye during practice that required several stitches. Leach said he would play Saturday.