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UCLA Football: UCLA vs. USC Early Analysis

By Ashley Tellier

Nov 28, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; General view of the line of scrimmage during an NCAA football game between the UCLA Bruins and the Southern California Trojans at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 28, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; General view of the line of scrimmage during an NCAA football game between the UCLA Bruins and the Southern California Trojans at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 28, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins running back Paul Perkins (24) runs with the ball against the Southern California Trojans during the game at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 28, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins running back Paul Perkins (24) runs with the ball against the Southern California Trojans during the game at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports /

2015 Record and Recap

The Trojans didn’t necessarily have a good season in 2015. Although they started out demolishing their first two opponents, those teams, Arkansas State and Idaho, were gigantic cupcakes—with sprinkles and a cherry on top.

After that, the Trojans lost to Stanford, Washington, and Notre Dame, bringing their record to a lackluster 3-3 by the middle of the season. Admittedly though, USC was undergoing some serious issues at the time.

Oct 8, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Southern California Trojans coach Steve Sarkisian reacts after a 17-12 loss to the the Washington Huskies at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 8, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Southern California Trojans coach Steve Sarkisian reacts after a 17-12 loss to the the Washington Huskies at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

Then head coach Steve Sarkisian was asked to take an indefinite leave of absence in October after showing up to practice visibly intoxicated or not showing up at all.

Shortly thereafter, Sarkisian was fired, and then offensive coordinator Clay Helton was named interim head coach.

Although USC’s loss to Notre Dame was under Helton’s leadership, the Trojans would turn things around to win their next four games. Quite obviously, “Don’t drink and coach” is a good rule to live by.

After beating the Bruins to win the Pac-12 South championship, USC had a chance at the Pac-12 title for the first time. This was an impressive achievement when you consider the mess the Trojans were in mid season.

But Trojans, doing Trojan things, lost the championship game against Stanford, 41-22, and would go on to lose against Wisconsin, 23-21, in the Holiday Bowl.

Next: Key Players and Stats