USC has bigger concerns than BCS standings

Upon further review . . .

The worst loss of the Pete Carroll era at USC looked even worse the day after.

That might not seem possible in the wake of the humiliation suffered by the Trojans at Oregon's Autzen Stadium, but Carroll experienced it all over again Sunday in his office when he viewed tape of the 47-20 demolition.

"It makes me sick to watch us play like that," Carroll said.

Is Oregon that good or is USC that bad?

The answer probably falls somewhere in between.

Oregon's dominating victory moved the Ducks from 10th to eighth in the Bowl Championship Series standings.

The Trojans fell from fifth to 12th, taking them out of the title-game equation for the fourth consecutive year.

But the BCS computers, typically a topic of derision for the coach, were the least of Carroll's concerns less than 24 hours after his team suffered the most humiliating defeat in his nine seasons with the Trojans.

"You wish you could go out and try to do it over," Carroll said. "But you have to live with it."

The question now: Where do the Trojans go from here?

The simple answer is Tempe, Ariz., where they will play Arizona State on Saturday.

But tougher opponents loom.

Start with the Trojans' collective psyche.

USC has regrouped before from a loss at Oregon. Two years ago, they won their last four games and benefited from a knee injury suffered by Ducks quarterback Dennis Dixon to win the Pacific 10 Conference title.

Mathematically, it could happen again.

But USC must look inward this week.

"This loss hurt a lot more than that one because we got beat up," senior safety Taylor Mays said after the game, comparing the 2007 defeat with this year's.

The Trojans on Sunday were still feeling the physical effects of the Ducks' assault.

Linebacker Malcolm Smith suffered a shoulder injury that could keep him sidelined indefinitely.

Middle linebacker Chris Galippo and reserve linebacker Jarvis Jones suffered neck sprains and will be evaluated this week.

Defensive lineman Armond Armstead suffered a wrist fracture, and doctors must determine if he is capable of playing with a cast.

And defensive end Everson Griffen suffered a turf toe injury that could limit his effectiveness.

It was no surprise that the injured came from the front seven on a night when Oregon gained 613 yards, 391 on the ground.