By Tom Coyne
The Associated Press

SOUTH BEND, Ind. - Notre Dame is in no mood to savor its win over Rutgers. No time. Not with a trip to Southern California looming and a Bowl Championship Series berth possibly at stake.

The No. 7 Irish were thinking about the sixth-ranked Trojans as soon as their 42-0 win over Rutgers was over Saturday - possibly even sooner.

"This win gives us a big boost of confidence going out to USC," Irish receiver Arnaz Battle said. "Going out to USC is going to be a great challenge."

Even coach Tyrone Willingham was thinking ahead immediately after the win Saturday. When asked about USC quarterback Carson Palmer, Willingham didn't duck the question by saying he would prefer to talk about that day's victory, as he usually does. He didn't say he hadn't had a chance yet to look at film of USC. Instead, he answered without hesitation.

"It is obvious to everyone that he poses more than just a little problem," Willingham said. "This is a young man that is actually playing the best football of any quarterback in the country. Besides, he is complemented by some of the best receivers in the country. I consider that more than just a little problem. I consider it a huge truckload of problems."

With a huge truckload of implications.

For the first time since Notre Dame's national championship season in 1988, both the Irish and the Trojans are ranked in the Top 10 when they meet in the season finale. The No. 1 Irish beat No. 2 USC that season 27-10. The two teams that season, though, already knew which bowl games they were going to before the game was played. The Irish were headed to the Fiesta Bowl and the Trojans to the Rose Bowl.

This week an at-large berth in the Bowl Championship Series may be at stake. The Irish can guarantee themselves a BCS berth, likely in the Orange or Sugar, with a win over the Trojans, but could still possibly still earn a berth with a loss. But the Trojans, who still could earn a Rose Bowl berth if UCLA beats Washington State on Dec. 7, could still be passed over for an at-large berth with a win over the Irish.

Notre Dame passed its way over Rutgers on Saturday, giving the Irish offense some much-needed confidence.

They are coming off their most dominant offensive effort of the season. Carlyle Holiday has put together his two best games of the season, passing for 542 yards and five touchdowns against Navy and Rutgers. Ryan Grant, who had five fumbles his previous two games, didn't turn the ball over once as he rushed for 68 yards on 18 carries against Rutgers to become the seventh Irish player to rush for 1,000 yards in a season.

"I think we're playing football the way Notre Dame is supposed to play football," receiver Omar Jenkins said. "As far as USC, we're just going to have to step it up."

Rutgers hasn't played the Trojans, but some of the Scarlet Knights said after losing to Notre Dame that they believe the Irish are comparable to No. 1 Miami, which beat Rutgers 42-17.

"They have very similar styles of play. You punch them, they are going to punch you right back," running back Markis Facyson said. "It would be a great football game. One to watch."

But Rutgers defensive end Raheem Orr said he doesn't believe the Irish match up with the Hurricanes.

"I think Miami is a better team than Notre Dame," he said.

For now, though, the Irish are simply worried about whether they are better than the Trojans.

"That's a big game for us," Grant said.