You are very quick to dismiss USC's destruction of Arkansas, in Arkansas (after that, I'm baffled by your assumption USC would be at the bottom of the SEC), and do not even mention their dominating victory over Nebraska, which was only a late fumble away from putting away Texas.  Knowing that the Pac-10 is perceived as a weaker conference, the Trojans actually schedule tough out of conference foes.  Top Arkansas, Nebraska, and Notre Dame as out of conference opponents.  No payday patsies there, unlike the SEC which loves to include such giants as Memphis, Arkansas State, and Western Carolina.  

It's true USC has had some close games, but all your SEC teams have as well, and let's not forget Ohio State actually needed several last second plays throughout the year to stay unbeaten when they won their title in '02.  

USC may not run the table, but to say they don't deserve to play for the title if they go undefeated ignores recent history and just reinforces conference-preference stereotypes without any supporting evidence.