Doesn't figure in

Just for the record, USC started the 2003 college football season with the same set of rules as all the other teams, and that is that the winner of the BCS championship game would be crowned national champion. I don't recall USC saying that they didn't want to play these games this season because of that rule.

USC can claim that they are one of the best teams in college football for 2003, but in no way legitimately, or in their hearts, believe they should be crowned national champions.

The Associated Press poll doesn't and shouldn't even figure into the equation.