BCS Era No. 1 -- USC

(From BCS Guru)

Overall Record: 95-32 (.748), 8th
BCS Bowl Record: 5-1 (6, 1st)
National Titles (Game Record): 2 (1-1* - split title with LSU in 2003)
Final AP Rankings: U-U-U-U-4-1-1-2-4-3 (Top 5: 6/Top 10: 6)



What, you were expecting Duke?

USC spotted everyone four years and yet still emerged as the top program in the BCS Era on the sheer dominance of its latter six seasons. After beginning his tenure at Troy with a 6-6 record in 2001, Pete Carroll has led the Trojans to six consecutive BCS bowl berths and Pac-10 championships, at least 11 victories each season and no worse than 4th in the final AP poll.

After starting 2-5 in 2001, the Trojans have gone 74-9 under Carroll and won 34 consecutive games between 2003-2005. USC won two national championships and lost its bid for an unprecedented third in a heartbreaking loss to Texas in the 2006 Rose Bowl – USC’s only BCS bowl loss. The Men of Troy also hauled home three more Heisman Trophies (Carson Palmer 2002, Matt Leinart 2004, Reggie Bush 2005), matching Notre Dame and Ohio State with seven winners all-time.

About the only thing that might stop this college football hegemon is the NCAA. With the Bush investigation wrapping up, there are indications that stiff penalties including forfeiture of games, recruiting losses and postseason sanctions may be imposed. Short of that, there is no end of this Trojan Dynasty in sight.