Yes, the Trojans have an important game coming up on Saturday, but Tuesday’s big news didn’t originate from the practice field. Instead, USC officials announced that their ongoing lease negotiations with the Coliseum have reached an impasse, and that the school would explore other options for their home football games–including playing all games at the Rose Bowl as soon as 2008.

The Rose Bowl Operating Company will discuss the terms of a two-year lease for USC at its December 6th meeting. A move to Pasadena seems unlikely for the Trojans (especially since UCLA currently holds an exclusive deal with the Rose Bowl, and would have to be compensated should USC move in as well), and is likely just a tactic to spur action by the Coliseum Commission, which so far has rejected USC’s offer to fund over $100 million in renovations to the aging stadium in exchange for a long-term lease agreement that would allow USC to run the venue. But it is possible that negotiations with the Commission would break down to the point where the Trojans do play elsewhere for a few years.

Some notes on actual football-related activities:

• Keith Rivers continued to make progress in practice, and is likely to start on Saturday.
• Fellow linebacker Rey Maualuga had to leave practice early to receive treatment for a persistent bloody nose. And OL Chilo Rachal sat out with a fever.
• CB Cary Harris injured–and possibly dislocated–his finger during Tuesday’s practice. There was no word on his status for Saturday, but he is expected to be OK.
• DT Fili Moala (concussion) continued to be held out of football activities, and is looking less likely to play against UCLA. If he is unable to go, the Trojans may move Lawrence Jackson over to tackle and play Everson Griffen (who on Tuesday was named to the 2007 Rivals.com Freshman All-American first team) at end opposite Kyle Moore (a lineup they have frequently utilized on third downs this season).
• The Trojan coaching staff is expecting QB Patrick Cowan to play in Saturday’s game, although UCLA has yet to make an official announcement. Cowan did take most of the first-team reps in practice on Tuesday after Ben Olson reinjured his sore knee. Cowan missed the Bruins’ last two games after suffering a collapsed lung in the Arizona game.

LA Memorial Coliseum Talks at Impasse, Say USC Officials (Official USC site)
USC might play in the Rose Bowl–permanently (LA Times)
Plaschke: Coliseum can’t let USC complete fade pattern (LA Times)
Pete Carroll Talks About Saturday’s Rivalry Game Against UCLA (Official USC site)
Maualuga’s bloody nose nothing to sniff at (LA Times)
Olson suffers a setback (LA Times)
Another plea for playoffs (OC Register)
Sore knee keeps Olson from drills (Press-Telegram)
Insider: The YAC are back (Rivals, $)