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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted at 11:36 p.m., Sunday, November 2, 2008

CFB: Rout of Washington lands USC lower in BCS standings

By Michael Lev
The Orange County Register

What does a 56-0 victory get you these days?

A lower ranking in the BCS standings.

Despite clobbering Washington for its fifth victory in a row — including three by shutout — USC fell two spots in the third set of BCS standings, released Sunday.

The Trojans entered the weekend at No. 5 and emerged at No. 7.

"The more we win, the worse we get," USC coach Pete Carroll said.

The fall might not seem fair, but it wasn't unexpected.

Undefeated Texas Tech, which had been No. 7, defeated No. 1 Texas to move up into the second spot.

Florida, which had been No. 8, drubbed then-No. 6 Georgia to move up to fourth.

Although Texas lost, the Longhorns remained ahead of USC, slipping to the No. 4 position. Alabama,

Penn State and Oklahoma were ahead of USC heading into Saturday and held serve.

The fact that Texas, Florida and Oklahoma are ahead of USC with one loss indicates that they most likely would have to lose again for the Trojans to surpass them. USC probably would leapfrog No. 3 Penn State if the Nittany Lions lost once; the same can't necessarily be said of unbeaten Alabama and Texas Tech.

USC plays a strong nonconference schedule, but the Pac-10's perceived weakness compared to the SEC and Big 12 is keeping the Trojans down.

USC could gain some traction this week by defeating Cal, which, at No. 21, is the only other Pac-10 school in the BCS top 25.