UCLA-USC is worth it for the uniforms alone.
It doesn’t matter if it’s true blue-and-gold or cardinal-and-gold. Splice in the California sun in the backdrop of the Rose Bowl or The Coliseum, and you have one of college football’s classic rivalries.
And it’s on the upswing. No. 11 UCLA (8-2) still controls its destiny in the Pac-12 South Division. No. 24 USC (7-3) still has an outside chance, and this is first-year coach Steve Sarkisian’s first swing in the rivalry.
The Bruins have won the last two under Jim Mora Jr. Can UCLA make it three in a row?
Let’s go to the Numbers that Matter.
Series history
This rivalry began in 1929, and USC holds a 46-30-7 advantage. It’s been a game of streaks the last 25 years. UCLA won eight straight from 1991-98, but USC won the next seven before a five-game streak from 2007-11.
Marquee matchups
This marks the 25th time both teams are ranked in the AP Top 25 heading into the matchup. UCLA has a 14-10 advantage in those games.
Signature game: No. 4 USC 21, No. 1 UCLA 20 (1967)
In a game that featured Heisman candidates Gary Beban and O.J. Simpson, UCLA (7-0-1) and USC (8-1) met with the conference championship on the line. Simpson’s 64-yard touchdown run made the difference. Beban won the Heisman Trophy, but Simpson led the Trojans to a 14-3 win against Indiana in the Rose Bowl to win the AP national championship.
Spotlight player: Brett Hundley, QB, UCLA
Hundley, a junior, has a chance to go 3-0 against the Trojans. He’s beat USC the last two seasons by not making mistakes. He’s 40-of-57 passing for 442 yards and a TD, and he’s added 90 rushing yards with four rushing TDs in those two wins.
Spotlight player: Javorius Allen, RB, USC
Allen rushed for 123 yards and a TD in last year’s loss to UCLA. The junior has rushed for at least 100 yards in eight games this season, and the Trojans are 6-2 in those games. Look for USC to control the clock with Allen.
On the spot: Wide receivers
This game typically features playmakers on the perimeter, and this year is no exception. UCLA’s Jordan Payton averages 14.5 yards per catch with seven TDs. USC’s Nelson Agholor averages 13.2 yards per catch with 10 TDs. Both are looking to impress NFL scouts, too.
X-factor: Su’a Cravens, S, USC
Enjoy this sophomore. The safety leads USC with 14 tackles for loss and five sacks, and he’s added two interceptions. How much will Trojans defensive coordinator Justin Wilcox employ Cravens as a spy to keep an eye on Hundley?
In-game trend: Pass protection
USC must protect Cody Kessler this time around. Kessler took six sacks in last year’s loss, and the Trojans are 1-3 when he takes more than three sacks in a game. Junior linebacker Deon Hollins leads the Bruins with 5.0 sacks. If he has a big night, watch out. UCLA also had issues protecting Hundley early in the season, but he’s taken just six sacks through the Bruins’ four-game win streak.
Magic number: 215.8
The Bruins rank 27th in the nation with 215.8 rushing yards per game, led by Paul Perkins, who has 1,172 rushing yards. UCLA is 13-3 under Mora when they hit that number.
Did you know?
UCLA quarterback Cade McNown is the only Bruins’ quarterback to go 4-0 against USC. Hundley is tied with Wayne Cook and Paul Cameron with a 2-0 record.
Bottom line
UCLA and USC appear on the edge of another great chapter in this rivalry, and it could easily come down to the fourth quarter. In that regard, both teams have struggled. The Bruins outscore opponents 71-70; USC has been outscored 78-66. If it’s tight late, that favors UCLA in a close call.
