Trojans' game with Bulldogs fills a need

LOS ANGELES - Coach Pete Carroll felt fine about Southern California having one weekend off before playing crosstown rival UCLA.

Two idle weekends was too much.

So Carroll was pleased Fresno State was plugged in last February as an opponent for the top-ranked Trojans on Saturday night at the Los Angeles Coliseum.

"We had an opportunity to schedule a worthy opponent," the USC coach said Tuesday. "I think (three weeks between games) is more than you need. Having a bye is always advantageous."

Fresno State was happy to oblige. Bulldogs coach Pat Hill has wanted to schedule USC and other topflight West Coast schools for several years. He got his wish when the matchup was finalized.

Before that, the Trojans didn't have a game scheduled between last Saturday, when they beat California 35-10, and Dec. 3, when they meet UCLA at the Coliseum. The Bruins, who beat Arizona State 45-35 last Saturday, are off until the game against USC.

At first glance, it appears the Trojans have little to gain and a lot to lose by playing Fresno State, and the Bulldogs have little to lose and a lot to gain.

Neither Carroll nor Hill buy that premise.

"This is a great matchup. I don't know if the rest of the country realizes that," Carroll said. "How much more difficult can it be, playing two 9-1 teams (to finish the regular season)? We'll earn everything we get this year."

Actually, No. 16 Fresno State has an 8-1 record, with its only loss a 37-34 setback at No. 10 Oregon on Sept. 17. USC rallied from a 13-0 deficit to hand the Ducks a 45-13 setback - their only loss - the following weekend at the same site.

"They're going to be revved up and prepared as they can get," Carroll said of Fresno State. "This is a great opportunity for them, a great shot. This is (also) a beautiful opportunity for us.

"We've grown to the point where we need these kind of challenges. It keeps us strong."

Carroll said Fresno State might be the best team USC plays all season.

Hill has no question regarding the Trojans.

"They are the best team in the country," he said. "I've got a lot of respect for them as a team and as a philosophy. They've got great strengths. That's why they've won 32 in a row."

That being said, Hill added: "I'll tell you this: I think we have a lot to lose if we lose this game."

And if the Bulldogs win?

"I know it would make the game the next week bigger," Hill replied.

He was serious.

Fresno State finishes the season with games against Nevada and Louisiana Tech.

Echoing the sentiments of his coach, USC offensive guard Fred Matua said he sees playing Fresno State as an opportunity.

"They've wanted to play us for a couple years. Now they have a chance," Matua said. "We know that they're very capable of beating us. I think they're underrated; they should be in the top 10. We feel we have everything to gain."

Said USC center Ryan Kalil: "Just as much as it's their opportunity, it's ours as well. This journey that we're on, we're not going to overlook anybody. Guys are ready to finish this thing off."

Three more wins will get the job done.

Carroll is impressed with what Hill has done since being hired by Fresno State in 1997. The Bulldogs went 26-22 in Hill's first four years and are 46-17 since then.

"He's done it with a style. He's taken on all comers," Carroll said. "He's done all of the things you would hope a guy would do with a program. I think it's a great marriage."

The same can be said about Carroll and USC. In addition to their 32-game winning streak, the two-time defending national champion Trojans have won 25 straight games at the Coliseum. They are 45-3 since going 6-6 in 2001 - Carroll's first year as their coach.

USC and No. 2 Texas are the only unbeaten NCAA Division I-A teams.

"It doesn't happen very often," Carroll said. "You win a big game, you have to go out and win again. I don't know how hard it is, really. I don't understand it. I just know what we're doing.

"Two teams left, it's pretty cool."

The Bulldogs beat the Trojans 24-7 in the 1992 Freedom Bowl in the only previous game between the teams. Larry Smith was fired as the USC coach shortly thereafter.