By Ralph Russo

Associated Press

PASADENA, Calif. — Southern California slipped up — and Michigan just might get its rematch with Ohio State. Then again, Florida may wind up with a shot at the Buckeyes.

One thing’s for sure: A Saturday stunner shook up the BCS and made Selection Sunday a whole lot more interesting.

With a chance to lock up a third consecutive trip to the title game, the Trojans lost 13-9 to UCLA and opened the door for the Wolverines or the Gators to play for the national championship.

The Bruins did it with a vastly improved defense.

Eric McNeal deflected and then made a diving interception of John David Booty’s pass at the UCLA 20-yard line with 1:10 remaining. USC’s bid for a third straight appearance in the national title game was over.

USC was second in the last BCS standings and appeared to be peaking at the perfect time. The Trojans had won four straight since losing at Oregon State, with impressive home wins over Oregon, California and last week against Notre Dame.

The last step for the Trojans (10-2, 7-2) was a victory over UCLA (7-5, 5-4).

But this trip to Pasadena didn’t go as planned for USC, and now instead of playing top-ranked Ohio State in Glendale, Ariz. on Jan. 8, the Trojans will return to the Rose Bowl on Jan. 1 with a lot less at stake.

“It just didn’t happen today,” USC coach Pete Carroll said. “We’ll go to the Rose Bowl and make it a great event.”