The Associated Press

PASADENA, Calif. - For more than three weeks, the talk in college football has been about split titles, disputed finishes and computer rankings.

Southern California has been at the center of the flap that either will quiet down or pick up after the top-ranked Trojans play No. 4 Michigan in the Rose Bowl today.

"What has occurred is a clear example of the system not working out right," said USC coach Pete Carroll, whose team was kept out of the Bowl Championship Series title game at the Sugar Bowl because of its strength of schedule.

If staying home to play in the most storied bowl in a traditional matchup against one of the nation's top teams is considered a consolation prize by some, the Trojans sure don't view it that way.

"We're playing in the Rose Bowl with a shot at the national championship," Carroll said Wednesday. "You can't ask for more than that. I'm not frustrated at all."

The Rose Bowl is the first of two national championship games this year. History says USC will be in perfect position to claim The Associated Press' championship with a win against the Wolverines, because the AP's top team never has dropped after winning its bowl. But an undisputed championship is impossible for the Trojans. The USA Today/ESPN coaches' poll is obligated to give its title to the winner of the Sugar Bowl between No. 2 LSU and No. 3 Oklahoma.

That sets up the possibility of college football's 11th split national championship - something that was supposed to be eliminated when the BCS started in 1998.

"Twenty years from now, that won't matter," USC cornerback Will Poole said. "We'll still get a ring."

To do that, the Trojans will have to get past a Michigan team that is playing as well as anyone after falling out of national title contention with two early losses.

Michigan responded by winning its final six games, including three against top-10 teams in November.

"I think we should be considered," offensive lineman Tony Pape said. "It's not how you start the race but how you finish."

This game figures to be a shootout, with two of the country's most sophisticated offenses.

Norm Chow's Trojans offense is considered by some to be the best college football has seen in years.

Quarterback Matt Leinart stepped in for Heisman Trophy winner Carson Palmer, directing a high-powered attack to record numbers. He has many options at his disposal, led by All-American receiver Mike Williams, Keary Colbert and a trio of young running backs who provide balance to the offense.

USC used its big-play philosophy to top 40 points in seven straight games and is sixth in the nation in scoring with a school-record 42.2 points a game. The Trojans have had 18 plays go for at least 40 yards, and more than three-quarters of their scoring drives have taken less than three minutes.

Michigan has a similar offense led by quarterback John Navarre, Heisman finalist running back Chris Perry and a deep receiving corps. The Wolverines scored at least 27 points every game. Michigan will try to control the ball with Perry to help ease the pressure on the defense.

USC was second in the nation against the run, allowing only 61.1 yards per game.

But the Wolverines had success against the top run defense in the country when Perry ran for 154 yards against Ohio State.