But Maualuga's defense, the best in the country, deserves a bigger stage. The evolving Trojans' offense deserves a better test. And, really, who wouldn't want to end this cross-country smack talk once and for all?
When asked if he wanted to go to the Rose Bowl, Coach Pete Carroll smiled.
"It's the only place for us right now," he said.
At least they'll all still be working, which is probably more than Charlie Weis can say, the Notre Dame coach almost surely having worked his last sideline after directing the team to the worst two combined seasons in school history.
His team showed plenty of emotion, from their pregame scuffle with the Trojans to the final moments, when ejected running back Robert Hughes screamed at a taunting crowd.
Emotion, but no execution, no understanding, seemingly no game plan for any of it, as if Weis were going to let this team coach itself.
"We knew exactly what they were going to do on every play," defensive end Kyle Moore said. "We had something for everything."
No first downs until the final play of the third quarter? Twenty-three total yards at that point? Ninety-one total yards for the game?
"They weren't going anywhere, and they knew it," said Brian Cushing, another USC senior playing his last home game with a vengeance. "It was just a matter of time before they were deflated."
Defensively, the Irish gave up 449 yards to a Trojans offense that is still suffering an identity crisis. There were an equal number of USC rushes and passes Saturday, but once again there seemed to be little rhythm to the attack.
With Joe McKnight scoring his first rushing touchdown of the season and Damian Williams catching everything and even Marc Tyler showing up at eight yards per carry, they could have pinned 60 on the Irish.
They certainly would have scored more if it wasn't for penalties, eight more, for 80 more yards, including two of seemingly historic proportions.
When is the last time you've seen a team have a punt return touchdown called back because of clipping . . . and also be penalized for excessive celebration? That run was by Stafon Johnson, who had a second touchdown called back because of holding.
"We had the energy flowing, the energy pumping," said Kaluka Maiava, the linebacker who had one of two Trojans interceptions.
Sometimes, yes, Other times, it just seemed as if the Trojans just got bored, and who can blame them?
They could be the best team in the country, yet for a third consecutive January, they won't even be allowed to leave town to prove it.
Fight yawn.
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bill.plaschke@latimes.com
