Why The Bruins Run LA: A Perspective On UCLA vs USC

Aug 31, 2013; Pasadena, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins quarterback Brett Hundley (17) reacts after scoring on a 34-yard touchdown run in the first quarter against the Nevada Wolf Pack at the Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Last November, words were said that will be immortalized for UCLA and down-right hated by the USC faithful. “UCLA runs LA. Everyone knows that.” After the annual UCLA vs USC football rivalry game on November 30, 2013, Bruin QB Brett Hundley had said this heaven-like phrase in regards to his team beating the Trojans 35-14 at the Coliseum. Hundley may have been talking about the game, but he also might have been talking about a lot of things.

More from UCLA Bruins

• UCLA Football: Where are they ranked heading into week 4
• UCLA vs. Utah: Location, time, prediction, and more
• UCLA Football: An analysis and more of the defense
• UCLA vs. North Carolina Central: Location, time, prediction, and more
• UCLA Football: Three first half takeaways against SDSU

UCLA and USC have been bitter rivals for a very long time as 11 miles separate the these two that both call Los Angeles home. But in the never-ending strive to be the better school, evidence has proven over and over, that UCLA does indeed run LA. Here is why…

In comparing only the sports that the two schools both currently have, the all-time head-to-head battles have UCLA leading USC 900-882-10. Interesting.

UCLA was also the first school to 100 championships, which they achieved in 2007. It took USC seven extra years to reach that milestone. Since then, UCLA has achieved 111 total championships. Even more interesting, but let us get into the sports that are a bit more recognizable to most fans: football and basketball.

”UCLA runs LA. Everyone knows that.” –Brett Hundley

As far as football, sure the Trojans have dominated the sport 46-30-7, but they have also let the program become a national disgrace… as recently as a week ago. But quickly, let us go back to the Pete Carroll years when the Trojans were the most dominant team on the planet… it ended with them taking on heavy sanctions that only ended this summer. Not only were wins and awards vacated, but so was a 2004 National Chmapionship. Ouch. But is that where it all ended? Oh my, no.

Live Feed

Betsided

Last season, there was the whole issue with Lane Kiffin not being up to task to lead the Trojans after a smacking by Arizona State. Kiffin was fired on the tarmac of LAX later that night upon returning home. Interim head coach Ed Orgeron took over and did well, until UCLA humbled him in the 35-14 victory. Despite solidifying the Trojans, USC went another direction with a permanent replacement and an irate Orgeron left the Trojans without a coach for the second time in the season. In all, USC has had four head coaches in the last 12 months. Not really a good way to build a foundation for the football program, but it does not end there.

Just last week, there were two incidents that blemished the face of USC once more: Josh Shaw lying about saving his nephew from drowning and Anthony Brown calling new head coach Steve Sarkisian a racist and quitting the team. Ouch, again.

Now let us look at the infractions that have occurred at UCLA in the two years that Jim Mora has been in charge of the football team… well, there really aren’t any. If there have been any distractions, they have been dealt with swiftly and harshly. As far as actually playing football, he has gone 19-8 in his first two seasons, beating USC twice in that time.

January 5, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins guard Jordan Adams (3) and guard Bryce Alford (20) react during a stoppage in play against the Southern California Trojans during the second half at Pauley Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

But there is more evidence that UCLA runs LA. In the head-to-head basketball match-up between the two schools, UCLA leads 130-105 (which funny enough, gives the overall revenue sport advantage to UCLA, 160-151-7). Before the start of the 2013-14 basketball season, new USC head coach Andy Enfield made a snarky comment about the Bruins, “if you want to play slow, got to UCLA.” Really now? Well, the “slow” Bruins put their stamp on the rivalry as the Bruins smashed the Trojans 107-73 at Pauley Pavilion. Just over a month later, the Bruins beat the Trojans again, 83-73, this time on USC’s home court.

And just to add more evidence as to UCLA’s Los Angeles dominance, Forbes Magazine posted a list of America’s Top Colleges in July 2014. UCLA was listed at #44 whilst the University of Southern California was #78. What more information do you need?

Now look, Hundley’s comments irked many Trojan fans, but at the same time, he was only speaking the truth. You cannot condemn a man for speaking the truth. And what is that truth, Mr. Hundley? One more time, for posterity…