Southern California, which was guaranteed an at-large berth into the BCS by virtue of its No. 4 BCS ranking, also enters the Orange Bowl on an impressive win streak having won seven straight. The Trojans, ranked No. 5 in both polls, last handed then-seventh-ranked Notre Dame a 44-13 loss at the Coliseum on November 30. USC, which had the No. 1 toughest schedule in the country, forged a 7-2 record against nine ranked opponents in 2002. The two losses for the Trojans came at the hands of Kansas State, 27-20, in Manhattan on September 21 and at Washington State, 30-27, on October 5.
USC's 10-2 record in 2002 is its best since going 10-2 in 1988. In the postseason USC is 25-15 in bowl games and last lost to Utah in the 2001 Las Vegas Bowl. The Trojans last New Year's bowl game appearance came in the 1996 Rose Bowl against Northwestern.
"This is a big time match-up in a big time bowl," said Trojan head coach Pete Carroll. "We feel honored to be selected to play in Orange bowl. It is a great sign of respect for our football team. People know what kind of team we have and they want to see us play.
"These are two big time teams playing in this game. We'll be playing on the 2nd of January, the only game on that day, so everyone will be watching us. Hopefully, the two teams can put on the best show of any of the games that week."
"This is a special day for the University of Southern California," said USC Athletic Director Mike Garrett. "We are honored to be playing in such a prestigious game versus an exceptional opponent in Iowa. We extend our thanks to the Orange Bowl Committee, who had the confidence to select a fine USC football team. It is a tribute to Coach Carroll and his staff for the fine job they've done. I know that our fans are excited and will come out in force to show the nation how supportive they are of our football team."
USC's 10-2 record in 2002 is its best since going 10-2 in 1988. In the postseason USC is 25-15 in bowl games and last lost to Utah in the 2001 Las Vegas Bowl. The Trojans last New Year's bowl game appearance came in the 1996 Rose Bowl against Northwestern.
"This is a big time match-up in a big time bowl," said Trojan head coach Pete Carroll. "We feel honored to be selected to play in Orange bowl. It is a great sign of respect for our football team. People know what kind of team we have and they want to see us play.
"These are two big time teams playing in this game. We'll be playing on the 2nd of January, the only game on that day, so everyone will be watching us. Hopefully, the two teams can put on the best show of any of the games that week."
"This is a special day for the University of Southern California," said USC Athletic Director Mike Garrett. "We are honored to be playing in such a prestigious game versus an exceptional opponent in Iowa. We extend our thanks to the Orange Bowl Committee, who had the confidence to select a fine USC football team. It is a tribute to Coach Carroll and his staff for the fine job they've done. I know that our fans are excited and will come out in force to show the nation how supportive they are of our football team."
