The Associated Press

LOS ANGELES - Sometime around the opening kickoff against UCLA today, the Southern California Trojans will sneak peeks at the scoreboard and hope to hear a roar from their fans at the Los Angeles Coliseum.

Their 3:30 p.m. EST start could coincide with the end of the Ohio State-Michigan game.

The Trojans, second in the national polls, slipped to third behind the Buckeyes in the BCS rankings that will determine the teams that will meet for the national title in the Sugar Bowl. Oklahoma is No. 1 in the polls and the BCS rankings.

A Michigan victory over Ohio State would probably boost USC back into second in the BCS - assuming, of course, that the heavily favored Trojans beat their crosstown rivals.

USC coach Pete Carroll insisted his team won't be distracted by what's going on in Ann Arbor, Mich. But he acknowledged the Trojans and their fans will be scoreboard-watching.

"They'll know what happens, so we just have to deal with it," he said. "Obviously, the best thing we can do to give ourselves the best chance is to play real well."

The Trojans (9-1, 5-1 Pac-10) have a lot riding on the game against the Bruins (6-5, 4-3). USC, which closes out the regular season against Oregon State on Dec. 6, is tied with Washington State for the conference lead.

The Trojans have won six straight games after a 34-31 triple-overtime loss at California on Sept. 27. The Bruins, under first-year coach Karl Dorrell, have lost three in a row.

USC has beaten UCLA four consecutive years, including 27-0 and 52-21 wins under Carroll.

The Bruins' hopes for a bowl invitation are also on the line.

"This is a great opportunity. We are going to approach this that way and do everything possible to play our best game of the season," he said. "It's a rivalry where the unexpected happens and favorites lose."

USC offense averages 457 yards and 40.7 points.

Quarterback Matt Leinart has been a capable replacement for Heisman Trophy winner Carson Palmer. Leinart, a sophomore without a college pass until this season, has thrown for 2,662 yards and 28 touchdowns with seven interceptions. His passer rating is 164.1.