Since the beginning of the season, they have been #1 and #2 in the polls. When the BCS was released, they were #1 and #2 and even switched places by the slimmest margin ever in the standings. Throughout the season, these two teams clearly showed they deserved to be on top. Both were down in games and came back from big deficits to win. Both teams won close games. Both teams struggled against their rivals and still came away with victories, some closer than others.

The names on the teams are thrown around like they were our next door neighbors. Reggie Bush, Vince Young, LenDale White, Matt Leinart, Selvin Young, Jamaal Charles - All have been on our tongues all season long. Three of them sat on stage at the Heisman Presentation and now two in that group have the trophy with the famous pose while the third may return next season for another chance at his own. Yes, we know what these guys are capable of.

So the real question that remains is who will win. And that is very hard question to answer, but here is one take on it without bogging you down with tons of statistics.

By far, the best defense that USC will see all year is in this game against Texas. The defensive line, much like their offensive line, could be considered one of the best, if not the best in the country. The Texas players hit hard, hard enough to have caused 22 fumbles this season. And the Longhorns are fast. I think USC is in for a shock when it comes out against the Texas. They have been held in check for the first half several times this season and that is a position that I think they will find themselves in again this game, despite all the offensive weapons that they bring to bear.

So then, will Texas be able to score on the USC defense? This isn't the same defense that took the field last season against Oklahoma. Many of those players were seen on Sunday this season instead of Saturday afternoons. Despite that, the USC defense is still very good, especially against the passing game. Having caught 22 interceptions this season, they won't leave Vince Young much room to make mistakes. That will lead Texas to rely again on the legs of Young and the rest of the Longhorn rushing attack. And that is where the great offensive line of the Longhorns is going to play a big role. They will need to protect Young long enough to allow him to get out of the pocket and be creative with the ball or to let Charles get through to the linebackers and beyond. This is where I believe the strength of the Longhorns will come to bear. Texas's rushing games should get them out to the lead in the first half of the game while their defense keeps USC in check.

Here is where the coaching will start to kick in. Consistently this season, when USC was down at half time, they made adjustments in the second half that allowed them ultimately to win the game. Can they do this against Texas? That remains to be seen, but this should be much harder against the Longhorn defense than they think. Still, at some point, USC is going to put some points on the board, the question is just how many.

Will Texas be able to consistently hold the ball for long periods of time and keep it out of the hands of the very impressive USC offense? Yes, I think so as long as their line holds up. And that should be the plan of their entire second half should they be up. The best defense has often been said to be a good offense, and Texas's rushing game should give them the advantage they need to hold the ball for sustained drives.

Do I think the game will ultimately be close and great game? Last season, I thought the game would be very close and yet it was a blowout. This season, I would have to believe that once again the game will be close but obviously anything can happen.

These are the last two winners of the Rose Bowl playing each other so they have both been there before. USC played for the championship last season with many of these same players. They know the stage. They know the pressure. Texas plays its own big games, from Oklahoma to Texas A&M. They can handle the pressure, much like they did last year against Michigan and this season against Ohio State. I don't perceive a letdown game this year from either side.

In the end, I think this is where USC's winning streak comes to an end. I think Texas has the firepower it takes to score with the USC offense and the defense to keep the scoring down enough that they can come out on top. Call me crazy, but that is what I believe.

And when the Longhorns win, that will give us all a reprieve of sorts. No longer will we have to deal with talk of the streak. No longer will we have to deal with talk of the three-peat...or is it only back to back? No longer will we have USC paraded out in front of us like gods on ESPN and put against the best teams of the last 50 years. No, all of that will be behind us.

The only question left remaining will be how good Texas will be next season, and will they get the same kind of glory as USC should they win this game? With a solid core of their team back, it will be interesting to see if they can continue the run they began at the end of last season. And should they again see a USC team next season, it will be without Leinart and, most likely, Mr. Bush. And that won't even be a contest.

Rose Bowl: USC(2) vs. Texas (1)
MRI Predicts: Texas Confidence factor: 72.32%, 15 out of 28