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USC football: Trojans’ 2004 BCS title could be in jeopardy over Reggie Bush case, report says

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USC’s 2004 Bowl Championship Series title could be in jeopardy if the NCAA rules Heisman Trophy winner Reggie Bush retroactively ineligible and sanctions the school, according to a report.

USA Today reported that the BCS in 2007 adopted a policy ‘calling for teams’ BCS appearances and BCS titles to be vacated when major rules violations subsequently are discovered and the institutions are sanctioned by the NCAA.’

Bush was at the center of a four-year investigation of USC’s athletic program. If the NCAA deems that USC must vacate wins in games in which Bush participated, the BCS could act to strip the Trojans of a title won with a 55-19 rout of Oklahoma.

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USC also won the 2004 Associated Press title. At the time, the AP poll was part of the BCS formula. The AP result would not necessarily be changed based on what the BCS might do.

A USC contingent that included President Steven Sample, Athletic Director Mike Garrett, former coach Pete Carroll and current Coach Lane Kiffin attended a hearing before the NCAA’s infractions committee in February.

The NCAA began its investigation in the wake of published reports that Bush and his family allegedly received cash and other benefits from would-be marketing agents while he was playing for USC. Bush has said that neither he nor his family did anything wrong. In a related lawsuit, the New Orleans Saints running back settled out of court with two would-be sports marketers.

-- Gary Klein

twitter.com/latimesklein

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