A quick Googlization shows the final rankings (BCS) going into the bowls.....
09: USC U/R Texas #2
08: USC #5 Texas #3
07: USC #7 Texas #19
06: USC #5 Texas #19
05: USC #1 Texas #2
04: USC #1 Texas #4
03: USC #3 Texas #6
So, other than a couple of hiccup years for Mack Brown going into the Bowls, I'd say both these programs have been incredibly consistent. They recruit top 10 talent every year and virtually every year, they're top 10 teams. In this day and age of 85 schollies and overall parody, I can't find much fault with either. (Except that USC cheated) That's not wasting talent. The Oklahomas and LSU's and Alabama's and Florida's of the world have top 10 talent too. Somebody has to win and someone's got to lose. Being top 10 every year is stout.