USC Football: UCLA Coach Chip Kelly Previews Crosstown Matchup Next Weekend

The 91st edition of the storied rivalry is next weekend.

While both teams are not in contention for the Pac-12 title game as they might have hoped to start the season, USC and UCLA will get a chance to earn a much-needed victory when the two longtime rivals face off Saturday in the Coliseum.

USC is fresh off a road loss to Oregon. Quarterback Caleb Williams threw for just under 300 yards and a touchdown, adding a score on the ground but the high-powered offense of the Oregon Ducks was too much to keep up with as Bo Nix continues to make his case for Heisman consideration.

UCLA is in danger of losing three straight after being upset at home by Arizona State, 17-7, on Saturday night.

Head coach Chip Kelly, who is in his sixth season with the Bruins, has yet to entirely convince the fanbase that UCLA can contend for national championships under his leadership, as the Bruins will not have seen a Pac-12 Championship appearance before they head to the crowded Big Ten Conference.

As the 6-4 Bruins prepare to take on 7-4 USC, Kelly said that the Bruins' focus was solely on beating the Trojans even though they have two games remaining on their schedule.

"It's us against the team, our rival, you know, next Saturday and that's what we talk about. You know, and it's always one game at a time. So, we understand we have two left, but we're not concerned with the second one. We're concerned with the first," Kelly said.

(via 

Ben Bolch of The Los Angeles Times

)

For USC, the game will be their last before whatever bowl game they find themselves playing in after the regular season. Because he will likely begin preparation for the NFL Draft, the Trojans' matchup against UCLA will likely be the last game Williams plays for the Cardinal and Gold.

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