Carroll was referring to his decision to play quarterback John David Booty in a 24-23 loss to Stanford on Oct. 6. The senior played with a broken hand and threw four interceptions.

"It cost us a game that really cost us the flavor of this season," Carroll said. "We've been tainted ever since for obvious reasons."

While that loss and a subsequent loss to Oregon robbed the Trojans of their annual aspiration — a national title — talk of USC's demise was just a wishful rumor.

That point was driven home last night at Sun Devil Stadium in the Trojans' 44-24 whipping of No. 7 Arizona State.

The Sun Devils entered last night's game worried about a USC defensive line that one Oakland Raiders scout in attendance said boasts four first-round NFL draft picks.

The fears were justified.

USC recorded six sacks to bring ASU's opponents' total this season to a school-record 49.

Chief among the Sun Devils' tormenters was defensive end Lawrence Jackson, who posted four sacks and a forced fumble while spending the entire night in the ASU backfield, exchanging insults with quarterback Rudy Carpenter and busting up running plays.

ASU managed a season-low 16 rushing yards against the USC defensive front.

"We had a feeling we could disrupt them," said Jackson as he ran off the field. "We were right."

But that wasn't ASU's only problem.

The Trojans' offense, maligned most of the season for its low scoring output, found an early weakness in the ASU pass defense and they never stopped exploiting it.

Booty threw for 375 yards in his best performance of the season and the USC offense racked up 508 total yards.

Time and again, USC's receivers used their superior athleticism to either outmaneuver or outrace ASU's defenders.

"We wanted to be a balanced attack coming in like we always are, but it just kind of opened up for us," said Booty of the passing barrage.

Much of the trials in Troy this season have stemmed from a lack of continuity due to injuries.

"They really hurt," said Booty, referring to missed time by left tackle Sam Baker, center Matt Spanos and himself, among others. "We had some injuries to key players and every team is shooting for us anyway so it's difficult to overcome everything."

USC never stopped believing it would.

"The outside stuff is just talk from people who don't know us," Booty said. "We always knew what we were about."

Last night, the nation rediscovered the Trojans' identity.

"This was a really sweet win," Carroll said. "We had a sense it would happen and it is just a great statement for our guys that they know we're capable of playing great football."

One month ago, the Trojans' season appeared lost after a loss to Oregon dropped them from the nation's top 10. But with Ducks quarterback Dennis Dixon out for the season and the Sun Devils now in the Trojans' rear-view mirror, USC still has a chance to do something special, perhaps even win another Pac-10 championship.

Carroll admitted that would be a fulfilling turnaround. But he couldn't resist lobbying for something more last night.

"I'd love to finish up this season with people wondering who the best team in the nation is," he said.