So it comes down to this for the poll voters and computer rankings the BCS uses to determine which team plays for the national title - Michigan or Florida?
And for the first time since this totally imperfect system was put into place eight years ago, after all the regular season games have been played, the championship matchup is anybodys guess going into selection Sunday.
USC was second in the last BCS standings and appeared to be peaking at the perfect time. The Trojans had won four straight since losing at Oregon State, with impressive home wins over Oregon, California and last week against Notre Dame.
The last step for the Trojans (10-2, 7-2) was a victory over UCLA (7-5, 5-4), their barely over .500 crosstown rivals who they had beaten seven straight times.
But this trip to Pasadena didnt go as planned for USC and now instead of playing Ohio State in Glendale, Ariz. on Jan. 8, the Trojans will return to the Rose Bowl on Jan. 1 with far less at stake.
