When UCLA and USC football teams meet at 12 noon on Saturday at the Rose Bowl, it should be an old fashioned game, down to the wire, the way they played in the ‘60s, ‘70s and ’80s. 19
Both teams come in with high-powered offenses and defenses that may shut you down or give up a lot of points.
For the first time in many years, UCLA has a better record than USC. The Bruins are 8 and 2 overall, 5 and 2 in the South Conference. The Trojans are 7 and 3, 5 and 3. The winner will be champion of the South and will play the winner of Stanford (8 and 2, 6 and 1) vs. Oregon (7 and 0, 10 and 0) for the overall conference championship.
If Oregon wins the next three games, they will play for the national championship. The Bruins and Trojans enter Saturday with very good quarterbacks. UCLA’s Brett Hundley can beat you with his arm and legs. He plays like an upperclassman instead of a redshirt freshman. USC’s quarterback, Matt Barkley, is a senior who has started four years. Although he has not lived up to his pre-season Heisman predictions, he is still one of the best quarterbacks in the nation. He can beat you with his arm and experience.
USC has better receivers than UCLA. Marqise Lee and Robert Woods are the best pair of receivers in the country. Former high school track stars, Lee and Woods are a threat to score anytime they touch the ball. Trojan tight end Xavier Grimble also is one of Barkley’s favorite targets.
UCLA has several wide receivers who are solid. Shaquelle Evans, Jerry Johnson, Joseph Fauria and Devin Fuller are among the most reliable to whom Hundley has thrown. The running back situation is about even. UCLA’s Johnathan Franklin has had an excellent senior year while USC’s Curtis McNeal and Silas Redd have been strong. It will come down to who can hold onto the ball.
On the defense, it will depend on what team shows up. Both defenses have stars who make big plays. The edge goes to UCLA. Defensive lineman Datone Jones and linebackers Anthony Barr, Jordan Zumwalt and Eric Kendricks have played well for the Bruins. The Trojans rely on safety T. J. McDonald, and linebackers Lamar Dawson, Dion Bailey and Hayes Pullard.
Both defensive backfields have given up a lot of yards and points. The outcome should be decided on turnovers, mistakes and penalties.
In the end, USC has the edge because of Lee and Woods. USC should win by seven points or less. But because it’s UCLA against USC, you never know.
Mr. Finley may be contacted at sfinley50@aol.com
