An old rivalry enters a new chapter on Saturday when USC and UCLA meet for the first time as members of the Big Ten Conference.
Both teams are struggling to overcome disappointing seasons as they head into a rivalry game with city pride, victory bells and postseason aspirations at stake. All will be decided under the lights of one of college football’s most respected venues.
Here’s what you need to know about the Trojans and Bruins matchup.
When is the USC-UCLA game?
The Trojans (5-5, 3-5 Big Ten), who lead the series with a 52-34-7 record, and the Bruins (4-6, 3-5 Big Ten) will play Saturday at 7:30 p.m. PT. They will play at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena. .
How to watch USC-UCLA
The game will be broadcast on NBC and streamed on Peacock.
Here’s how the new 12-team CFP will work starting with the 2024-25 season.
What’s the problem?
Something similar to the salvaged season.
Both teams are far from being talked about in the College Football Playoff, but that will be put aside for one night in this heated and storied rivalry game between former Pac-12 rivals in the first season after the Big Ten affiliation.
Victory bells, bragging rights, and postseason games are still held, under lights and in the sight of the famous Rose Bowl.
The University of Southern California improved with a 28-20 win over Nebraska, replacing redshirt sophomore Jayden Maiava at quarterback, but the UCLA game is the Trojans’ best chance for a sixth win. It might be a chance. Next up is No. 6 Notre Dame. UCLA was on a three-game winning streak, but that streak ended last week with a 31-19 loss to Washington.
major matchups
USC’s RB Woody Marks vs. UCLA’s run defense. Marks rushed for a career-high 146 yards against a strong Cornhuskers defense, marking his first 1,000-yard season as a fifth-year player. The stout Bruins front, which ranks seventh in the FBS in runs stopped, represents an even tougher challenge. On Nov. 8, he shut down Iowa State running back Caleb Johnson by holding him to 49 yards.
Featured players
University of Southern California: Maiava shook off a bad start, including a pick-six, to throw for 259 yards and three touchdowns against Nebraska and look for more points. Maiava showed a willingness to attack down the field as a passer, and his mobility to extend plays opened up some of the big shots that were missing under former starter Miller Moss.
UCLA: QB Ethan Garbers had a decent performance against the Huskies, passing for 267 yards, two touchdowns, and running for 49 yards, but he wasn’t as sharp as he was during the winning streak. The Bruins have tended to have things going Garbers’ way this season, so much so that against a USC defense that’s vastly improved over the unit he shattered with three touchdown throws in a 38-20 win last season, It’s going to have to get better.
facts and figures
While the Trojans’ offense is strong, the Bruins’ defense is struggling, so the game could be decided on third down. USC has a conversion rate of 46.8%, which ranks 17th in the nation. UCLA is allowing opponents to convert 52% of their attempts, which ranks last out of 134 teams. …Road teams have won each of their last four meetings, something like this hasn’t happened since 1959-1962, when the Trojans and Bruins still shared the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Ta. … USC is still dealing with a flu outbreak that limited several key players against Nebraska.
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