Mike Garrett, O.J. Simpson, Charles White, Marcus Allen, Reggie Bush.
Chauncey Washington.
Chauncey who?
Unlike most of the great USC teams of the past, Pete Carroll's Trojans are carving out a huge season without putting a marquee tailback on the field.
When No. 4 USC hosts No. 17 Cal on Saturday to decide the Pac-10 championship and a berth to the Rose Bowl— or possibly the BCS championship game, in USC's case —it will be the Bears who have the marquee player at tailback.
Marshawn Lynch, e major talents such as Chuck Muncie and Russell White, but it can't begin to match the line of superstars who carried the freight for the Trojans.
Except for this season.
Lynch is arguably the top running back in the nation, while Washington, a fourth-year junior, ranks sixth in the conference with a 74.9 yards per game average. Washington's career high came last Saturday when he gained 119 yards rushing against Oregon.
"The last couple of games, I've started to get into a groove," said Washington, who was a consensus All-American out of South Torrance High School but was academically ineligible in both the 2004 and 2005 seasons. "I'm doing fine. I'm in the best shape I've been in right now."
Washington, who has rushed for 674 yards, said he doesn't care if he doesn't compare favorably with Bush or any of USC's big-time tailbacks. "I just want to help the team win," he said.
Although USC might not have familiar names at tailback, Cal linebacker Desmond Bishop said the Trojans' running game is plenty potent.
"They have three running backs (Washington and freshmen Emmanuel Moody, who is injured, and C.J. Gable) who are probably the best backs we will face all year," Bishop said. "Everyone still is caught up in the hype of Bush and LenDale (White). Chauncey came into this season in a huge shadow."
USC coach Pete Carroll said Washington is on the verge of busting out of that shadow.
"He had a real difficult start this season with a hamstring problem," Carroll said. "He wasn't in great shape and he still isn't."
Don't tell Cal cornerback Daymeion Hughes that Washington isn't in shape.
"Chauncey is a good back," Hughes said. "He is similar to what LenDale White was last year. He is strong, but he also is explosive and fast. He brings a lot to the table."
USC is fourth in the conference with a 148.8 yards per game rushing average, about 16 yards per game behind Cal, which is third in that category.
"Their offensive line is one of the best in the country," said Cal rover Brandon Hampton. "They are fast, strong, smart. If they add up all their backs' rushing yards, they are doing well. They are very balanced."
In effect, though, USC has set up its running game with a strong passing attack led by wide receivers Dwayne Jarrett and Steve Smith.
"I think you can make a good case that we are doing that (setting up the run with the pass)," Smith said. "We have some big-time wide receivers here.
"But Chauncey is doing a great job. He has carried us in a few games."
He might have had a couple of big games, but he has yet to prove he can perform on Lynch's level.
"Lynch is an extraordinary player," Carroll said. "It has been cool to watch the guy grow up. He's gotten stronger and more creative. He can catch the ball like crazy. He must be a terrific competitor."
Kind of like Bush or Allen or White or . . .
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