EVERYTHING ON THE LINE

13-9.

It's a score the Trojans haven't forgotten. After all, USC's loss to UCLA last season knocked the Trojans out of the national title game.

But it doesn't mean the No. 8 Trojans are using last year's loss as motivation when they host the Bruins at 1:30 p.m. Saturday at the Coliseum.

"We don't talk about what happened in the past," USC coach Pete Carroll said. "We talk about what's coming up and what's at hand, and that falls in line with that right here, and we will not spend any time on last year's game in regards to the preparation for this game."

Instead, the Trojans (9-2, 6-2 Pac-10) have plenty of other things to get them motivated to play against the Bruins (6-5, 5-3).

The Victory Bell is up for grabs, it's Senior Day and the Rose Bowl is on the line for both teams this season. It's the 36th time a Rose Bowl berth has been at stake for one of the teams in the 77-game history, which the Trojans lead 41-28-7.

If USC beats UCLA, it wins the conference for a record sixth straight time and represents the Pac-10 in Pasadena on Jan. 1. If UCLA beats USC, it still needs Arizona to upset Arizona State to become the first team ever to win the conference with three losses.

It's been a crazy race for the conference title this season, but even after two losses, the Trojans control their own destiny again after dismantling Arizona State on Thanksgiving night and getting help from the Bruins, who shut out Oregon last week.

"We're always OK with the Rose Bowl," quarterback John David Booty said. "That's all we can really control - the Pac-10."

But both teams have not been able to control the injury bug this season, especially at the quarterback position.

Booty missed three games because of a broken finger, while the Bruins lost their top two quarterbacks, Ben Olson and Patrick Cowan, to injury most of the season.

But all three quarterbacks are expected to be healthy and ready to play, including Cowan, who led the Bruins to their victory over the Trojans last season.

"I think when Patrick Cowan is playing they have looked really good, and we anticipate he's playing in this game," Carroll said. "They will be at the very best they can be coming into our matchup."

But the Trojans still expect the Bruins, last in the conference in passing yardage, to run the football with Chris Markey and Craig Sheppard, who combined for 140 yards rushing and a touchdown last week against Oregon.

"I don't know how much they're going to throw the ball with their quarterback situation," nose tackle Sedrick Ellis said. "I assume they're going to come out and try to establish the running game."

It will be difficult for the Bruins to run the ball, as the Trojans counter with the conference's second-best rush defense, allowing just 85.3 rushing yards per game.

But the strength of UCLA lies not in its offense, but in its defense and its ability to get to the quarterback. The Bruins are tied for third in the conference in sacks with 35, led by Bruce Davis' 9.5 sacks.

Last year, Booty was under constant pressure by the UCLA defense and it's something he hasn't forgotten.

"I remember, yeah, no doubt about it," Booty said. "They are really a great D-line, led by Bruce Davis who does a great job of getting after the passer."

Booty, however, is coming off his best game of the season last week against the Sun Devils, when he threw for 375 yards and four touchdowns.

Booty said he's excited to play in his last game at the Coliseum and expects a great crowd for Senior Day.

"It's for all of L.A.," Booty said. "It's big time for both teams especially with what's at stake for both of us. I wouldn't expect anything but an unbelievable environment Saturday."