GAME NOTES: The sixth-ranked USC Trojans will participate in their unprecedented sixth consecutive BCS Bowl game, as they take part in the 94th- annual Rose Bowl on New Year's Day. Pete Carroll's Trojans were in the national title hunt early on, but a pair of losses to Stanford and Oregon in the month of October, left the team on the outside looking in. However, to USC's credit, the team rallied with four straight wins to capture its sixth straight Pac-10 crown. It will be a traditional Pac-10/Big Ten Rose Bowl this season, as the 13th-ranked Illinois Fighting Illini will occupy the other sideline. The Illini were among the Big Ten elite for most of the season, but back-to-back losses to Iowa and Michigan left the team well out of contention for the conference crown as the season wore down. Still, a huge upset of then top-ranked Ohio State in early November certainly was a highlight in a superb season for Ron Zook and his team. USC is 29-16 in postseason play including a 22-9 record in the Rose Bowl. This is USC's 32nd Rose Bowl appearance, a bowl record. Illinois is making its fifth trip to the Rose Bowl, but its first since 1984. The Illini are 6-8 in 14 previous bowl games. USC has won 10 of the 12 all-time meetings with Illinois, with the Illini's two wins coming in 1935 and in 1989. The last meeting which took place in 1996, resulted in a 55-3 rout for the Trojans.

Illinois is one of those teams that relies primarily on running the ball effectively to win games. That gameplan usually works out with the Illini ranking as one of the nation's premier rushing teams, amassing 266.2 yards per game (fifth nationally) on an impressive 5.7 yards per carry. Junior RB Rashard Mendenhall has quietly gone about his business this year, averaging a robust 6.2 yards per carry, while racking up 1,526 yards and 16 TDs in 12 games. His 127.2 yards per game ranked eighth nationally. The team scored a whopping 27 TDs on the ground this season, much more than the 14 scored through the air. Sophomore QB Juice Williams isn't much of a threat with his arm alone, throwing for just 1,498 yards and 13 TDs this season, but combined with his rushing ability (774 yards rushing and an additional seven TDs), Williams is a dangerous offensive asset for Illinois. Despite a passing attack that has lacked consistency, freshman WR Arrelious Benn has put up decent numbers (team- high 49 receptions, for 596 yards and one TD).

Defensively, the Illini have given consistent effort. The team has held opponents to just 19.5 ppg, showing a particular penchant for stopping the run (114.5 ypg). In fact, the team has yielded just eight rushing scores all year. The pass defense has been a little more forgiving, allowing 240.9 yards per game and 17 touchdowns. The team has really made a point of getting after opposing QBs, recording 38 sacks on the year, as well as forcing 24 turnovers. Senior linebacker J Leman has been a force in the middle of the field, leading the team in tackles with a whopping 124 stops. Leman also adds 9.5 TFLs, 2.5 sacks, one INT and one forced fumble to his impressive stat line. Fellow senior Kevin Mitchell is the team's top performer in the secondary with 65 total tackles and five interceptions. Junior rush end Will Davis is the player to watch up front, pacing the squad in TFLs (12.5) and sacks (9.5).

Most of the marquee names are gone and while this year's USC offense may not rank up there with the ones from the recent past, this is still a potent team that can run up the score if need be. The Trojans averaged a solid 31.2 ppg this year, getting great balance between the run (185.0 ypg) and the pass (233.4 ypg). The result was a steady 418.4 yards of total offense, while maintaining just over 32 minutes per game in time of possession. Quarterback J.D. Booty missed some time due to injury this year, but still had a decent season, although not a Heisman-worthy campaign. Booty completed over 62 percent of his tosses in 2007, for 2,106 yards with 20 TDs. All-American Fred Davis earned the Mackey Award as the nation's top tight end, as he led the team in receptions (55), receiving yards (794) and TD catches (7). Other receivers of note include Vidal Hazelton (49 receptions, for 535 yards, four TDs), Patrick Turner (48 receptions, for 569 yards and three TDs) and Stanley Havili (30 receptions, for 185 yards and five TDs). The ground game featured a trio of talented runners, led by junior Chauncey Washington (894 yards, nine TDs). One of the nation's best, USC's offensive line allowed just 15 sacks this season. The unit was highlighted by the play of All-American tackle Sam Baker.

The USC defense is chock-full with All-American talent as well. The defense was the key to USC's success this season, limiting opponents to just 15.9 ppg (third nationally). The team was extremely stingy to opposing ground attacks, giving up a mere 79.2 ypg (fourth nationally), on 2.4 yards per carry. The pass defense was stout as well, with USC allowing just 179.7 yards per game and finishing second nationally in total defense at 258.8 ypg. With 40 sacks on the season, the defensive line was certainly a strength of the defense. Rush end Lawrence Jackson led the team in TFLs (14) and sacks (9.5), but All-American and Pac-10 Defensive Player of the Year Sedrick Ellis (56 total tackles, 12.5 TFLs, 8.5 sacks) is the cog in the middle of the line. Linebackers Rey Maualuga (team-high 75 tackles, 7.5 TFLs, 3.0 sacks) and Keith Rivers (73 tackles, 4.5 TFLs, three fumble recoveries) highlight the play in the middle of the field, while safeties Taylor Mays (62 tackles, one INT) and Kevin Ellison (54 tackles, 6.5 TFLs, 2.0 sacks, two INTs) and cornerback Terrell Thomas (41 tackles, 3.0 TFLs, four INTs) are the players of note in the secondary.

Illinois will have to get off to a fast start to erase any of USC's mystique in this game. The Trojans are in a familiar setting in a BCS bowl and big game experience will go a long way here.

Sports Network Predicted Outcome: USC 31, Illinois 17