PASADENA, Calif. — You could call it the Irrelevant Bowl.
UCLA hoped just a few weeks ago that this wouldn’t be its last game. USC knew it would be. Two of the most storied college football programs in the country played their rivalry game, the final football game in the history of the Pac-10. And it was played for … nothing?
Not exactly.
The balance of power in this conference may have shifted north and taken the spotlight with it, but these two programs — the cornerstones of a new Pac-12 — met Saturday night at the Rose Bowl to begin the process of clarifying uncertain futures.
Certainly not as glamorous as playing for a bowl game, but it is what’s left.
On a tough night for offense, a big defensive play turned the tide, Malcolm Smith’s 68-yard fumble recovery for a touchdown propelling USC to a 14-7 a lead that it would not relinquish. The Trojans tacked on a pair of fourth-quarter scores by senior tailback Allen Bradford and finished with a 28-14 win over the Bruins to close this disheartening, disappointing season.
PASADENA, Calif. — The last football game in Pac-10 history was played Saturday night at the Rose Bowl between two games that weren’t going to a bowl, but were trying to lay the foundation for a better future.
Just when it seemed like things were going without a hitch for 
UCLA coach Rick Neuheisel’s team may have bigger problems than whether its “Jekyll and Hyde” tendencies will keep the Bruins (3-3, 1-2) from a bowl game.
When UCLA takes to national television to play No. 2 Oregon on Oct. 21, it’ll be missing some serious manpower.
BERKELEY, Calif. (AP) — 
“What’s your deal?” Or no deal?
Two weeks ago, he was being second-guessed.
