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USC: The Best Team, Not the Most Deserving

Why the Trojans, Despite Their Tremendous Defense, Face a Higher Standard Than Other BCS Contenders

Let's take a timeout from the Big 12 tiebreaker debate and the Alabama-Florida discussion. Let's take a moment to consider the plight of the nation's real No. 1 team.

This is not to say that the Southern California Trojans, who of course had their chance, ought to play in the national championship. If they'd beaten Oregon State, they'd have nothing to worry about. It's not like the system totally let them down. But we also know that it's far from perfect. The fact that the Trojans have played the second half of the season...