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That USC team was arguably the worst of the last 4 years. Kind of fun to listen to Texans get excited - USC almost won that game against a better Texas team. Win it next year, then get to the final the year after, and lose by 30 seconds, or a knee, or ... - then talk. (I'm not complaining - USC made too many mistakes - but that does not mean it wasn't literally this close.)

Texas had 4 years to say something about it - they showed up with a great team this year, I guess whooped USCs butt so bad they needed every tick on the clock. That was not domination I saw - much closer to parity. (Although I think Texas was better). That's one.

I think it is a shame people don't appreciate what they were looking at. This year the media fimally hyped it.

30 fewer, or more, ticks on the clock (or 1 DE who could contain VY on the left side)and they would have had 3 straight. 2002 they were #4. Carson Palmer was QB (Heisman)(Cincinatti) Troy Palamalu was safety (Pittsburgh). They played the hardest schedule in NCAA, and had #1 defense. They beat the #3 Iowa 38-17 in their bowl matchup. Not even close. (A great vote for need for playoff - a dumb early loss messed them up all year.) (I won't even start on how you can trounce the #3 team going into bowls, yet end up #4?)

In the last 3 years they have lost two games - one in 3OT on the road (Cal) (after they fumbled a sure winning touchdown, similar to Bettis yesterday). Second loss was Texas.

Loss prior to Cal was 11 games earlier, Washington (#5) on the road, in 2OT. USC missed their field goal. This is the 2002 season - a field goal one way or another and they might have been playing for FOUR straight.

Texas won this year - think they are in a hurry to play that one again? USC has played the overall toughest the last 4 years, and held an amazing record.

Texas beat them fair and square - no sour grapes here. But Texas beat arguably the fourth best USC team of the last 4 years. (USC defense #39. Offense hid it. Pac division was not as strong this year.)

Bowl games last 4 years -
def #3 Iowa 38-17
def #4 Michigan 28-14
def #2 Oklahoma 52-19? (going by memory)
lost #1 Texas 41-38 (19 seconds) (too many mistakes)

How about a Heisman QB with 2 National Championships turning down the sure thing draft, to return to his team to play for the 3rd championship - and getting to the last game? That is a team you can root for. See any trash talk? Any late hits? That is a team to admire.

They are arguably the best college team of all time. 2004 was the peak (although I really liked how tough the defense was in 2002). But over 4 years, a very impressive record. Heisman QB returns to team to try for 3 straight - than wins it for me, just on heart points. (VY already declared, but hey, I probably would too.)

The media just caught on late last year, and this year. But that team was awesome. Texas was great too - just two more years to go - then talk.