Favored Trojans no lock to win

Always popular with the betting public, Southern California coach Pete Carroll rarely disappoints. He is hard to beat in bowl games, and he has been especially tough on Big Ten opponents.

So the Trojans figure to get their share of support as 91/2-point favorites over Penn State in today's Rose Bowl at Pasadena, Calif. The line is 10 at some sports books.

Northcoast Sports handicapper Phil Steele is siding with the underdog, citing the ability of the Nittany Lions' defense to tame a USC offense lacking explosiveness.

Penn State, 11-1 straight up and 8-3 against the spread this season, is 23-10-1 straight up in bowls under coach Joe Paterno.

"Paterno has got one of the best bowl records of all the coaches, and Penn State could easily be playing for the national title," Steele said. "I think it will be a low-scoring game with two great defenses, and the Nittany Lions have got a shot at the upset."

The Trojans' defense allowed 10 points or fewer in 10 games.

Steele said he questions if USC quarterback Mark Sanchez can get a lot accomplished against a Penn State defense that ranks in the nation's top 10 in scoring and yards allowed.

The Nittany Lions showed scoring potential this season behind running back Evan Royster and senior quarterback Daryll Clark.

"USC's offense has put up some decent numbers, but most of that was done against Washington and Washington State," Steele said. "The Trojans played a lot of tight games.

"Everybody talks about how USC dominated Illinois last year in the Rose Bowl, and this is another team from the Big Ten. But the comparison between those two teams is extreme."

Steele (philsteele.com) breaks down his play for the Fiesta Bowl on Monday:

• Ohio State (+8) over Texas: The Buckeyes are talented on defense with several players who will go in the NFL Draft, and they are a much more veteran team than the Longhorns.

A lot of talk has surfaced about Ohio State's poor performances in the past two Bowl Championship Series title games against Louisiana State and Florida, and Jim Tressel's ability to coach in big games is being doubted. So the Buckeyes need this win, and I think they will play much better.

Ohio State dominated down the stretch with quarterback Terrelle Pryor and running back Beanie Wells leading the offense. Pryor and Wells are dangerous weapons.

The Longhorns have an excellent offense, but their leading rusher is quarterback Colt McCoy. Texas has to be disappointed not to be playing for the national championship. With its strong defense, Ohio State is capable of winning.

Contact reporter Matt Youmans at myoumans@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2907.