10 Things To Know: USC Trojans vs. UCLA Bruins
As this wacky 2020 season comes to an end, USC will play their final game of their regular 2020 season at the Rose Bowl against their crosstown rival the UCLA Bruins. Here are 10 things you need to know:
#1. HISTORY
This will be the 90th game played in the crosstown rivalry series.
#2. MOMENTUM
The UCLA Bruins beat the Arizona State Sun Devils, 25-18 last Saturday (week five). The Washington State Cougar's paid a visit to the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Sunday, December 6th, and lost to the USC Trojans 38-13.
#3. CORONAVIRUS
Both teams have had one game cancel this season due to COVID-19. USC canceled their game against Colorado due to COVID-19 cases within a specific position group (offensive line).
UCLA's game against Utah (week two) was canceled due to Utah having COVID-19 cases within their football program. However, UCLA worked fast to find a replacement and hosted Cal for a special Sunday morning game at the Rose Bowl.
#4 STATS
The Trojans currently rank fourth nationally and first in the Pac-12 for completion percentages at 72.3%. They rank second nationally and first in the Pac-12 in turnover margins.
USC has won 70.2% of their games against Pac-12 opponents. A win over UCLA on Saturday would give USC it's first 5-0 record since 2006. To date, the Trojans have gone 5-0 - 30 times total.
#5. WIN STREAK
The USC Trojans lead the series 42-32-7 which dates back to 1929. The UCLA Bruins have only been victorious five of the last 21 meetings since 1999.
#6. KEEP AN EYE ON
If USC finds victory over the UCLA Bruins they will end the season with a 5-0 record. To add, the fate of the Pac-12 Championship will be decided upon this weeks games. USC and Colorado are both undefeated teams in the south and possible contenders for a Pac-12 north opponent.
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#7. VICTORY BELL
The Victory Bell is the honorary trophy for the USC vs. UCLA crosstown rivalry game. The winner of the annual matchup gets a year long possession of the bell. This prize is 295 pounds and comes from a southern pacific freight locomotive. It was originally given to UCLA in 1939 as a gift from the UCLA Alumni Association.
#8.RANKINGS
USC moved up in the AP Poll from No. 17 to No. 16. The Trojans are the highest ranked Pac-12 team after Oregon fell off the list following two losses to Oregon State and Cal. Another Pac-12 team to grace the list this week was the Colorado Buffaloes, coming in at No. 21 after their 24-13 victory over the Arizona Wildcats.
#9. QUOTEABLE
“I wish we could have run it better in the second half. But with a 7-8-man front we were looking at, cover-1 cover-3 and some zone pressure they really challenged us early. We have not seen that much. I thought the guys hit on all cylinders." Helton told the media after USC defeated WSU 38-13. "But again, you win by 16 last week, you win by 25 this week; the offense is really starting to click. Want to be able to have that run game go along with it and take some pressure off Kedon [Slovis]." (Helton) USC finished the night with a total of five rushing yards against the Cougars.
#10. HOW TO WATCH
UCLA hosts USC at the Rose Bowl next Saturday, December 12th at 4:30 p.m. PT. The game will air on ABC.
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