USC fifth in latest AP poll (week 15, 2011)

It seems USC benefited from the PAC-12 championship, without playing in it.  After seeing Oregon win in a somewhat lackluster effort on the defensive side and noting how USC won a blowout shutout against UCLA the week before, voters appear to have revisited their reactions to USC's victory over Oregon.  Now, USC is 5th with Oregon 6th in the AP Poll.

The week after USC's win at Autzen, USC's average poll rating was 9.72 while Oregon's was 9.42.  Two weeks later, after the PAC-12 championship game, USC is now rated higher, at an average of 6.32 compared to Oregon at 6.53.

And much of the poll voting disparities have disappeared.

This was the disparity spread of AP voters' ballots between Oregon and USC, immediately after USC beat Oregon.

And this is the disparity spread this week, after the championship game.  Most voters have settle down to within +/- 2 poll spots between USC and Oregon, with the tail ends compressed.

Looks like USC's giving the middle finger, don't you think?

Oh, and Houston's disastrous 28-49 loss to Southern Miss in the C-USA championship game was highlighted by Case Keenum's 2 interceptions to go along with his 2 touchdowns.  You'll have to forgive me if I yell bloody murder, were Matt Barkley not to end up in the top-4 in Heisman voting and a trip to NYC.