(Editor's note: USC senior lineman Travis Claridge will share a weekly diary with ESPN.com throughout the season. For more information on the Trojans, visit the official USC site.)

Nov. 11, 1999

I'm excited to play again this week. I'm excited to play in the cold weather. I'll be the only guy out there without long sleeves on. It's fun playing in Pullman. It's a college town and the stadium will be packed with people having a good time.

There might be bad weather up there, but I don't mind. I've played in rain, wind and mud. I played in a game in high school where the fog was so thick that you couldn't throw the ball because you couldn't see it. I like playing in inclement weather. Also, the turf is different up there. It's like playing on a sheet of ice. It's very slippery, especially when it rains and it gets cold.

I think the last time we played up in Pullman this late in the season was when Tony Boselli was here. It's ironic that the last road game of my career will be in my home state. I wish some of my high school coaches would come up and watch, but I doubt they will. But my girlfriend and some of my friends are going, and my dad will be there, too.

I love the fans up there. They yell obscenities to me, but I enjoy it. It's an alcohol-free campus up there now, though, so I don't think they're as loud as they used to be. Still, it's a late-night game. Tailgating starts around noon and by gametime the fans can get downright belligerent. It's fun. It's a great college town.

I love playing up north or back east. I'm originally from Michigan, so when I go back there I get a sense of being home. It makes me feel good and makes me play harder. I can't explain it. You fly to these places, look down and see trees everywhere and snow on the ground -- and it's cold. It just makes me feel good.

When I went to play Washington State my freshman year, people yelled all kinds of things to me. They'd say, "Claridge, you can't spell SAT!" or "Claridge, you stink!" or "Claridge, you never should have left!" Now it's my senior year and after being told that I shouldn't have left, our team is going to the Toilet Bowl. Our last game of the year really will be our last game of the year. It's very disappointing.