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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; Southern California Trojans quarterback Cody Kessler (6) and UCLA Bruins quarterback Josh Rosen (3) embrace after an NCAA football game at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. USC defeated UCLA 40-21. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 28, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Southern California Trojans quarterback Cody Kessler (6) and UCLA Bruins quarterback Josh Rosen (3) embrace after an NCAA football game at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. USC defeated UCLA 40-21. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

UCLA Offense vs. USC Defense

USC’s defense was in rebuilding mode after losing seven key players last year, including LB Su’a Cravens and CB Kevon Seymour. However, the Trojans still have some returning and new talent to be excited about.

Cornerback Adoree’ Jackson is sure to give UCLA receivers some trouble. Sophomore defensive end Rasheem Green is developing nicely and isn’t afraid to return a fumble all the way. Also, you can count on 5-star Oluwole Betiku to make his caliber known early on. Could this be UCLA’s QB Josh Rosen’s Heisman year? Maybe.

The returning sophomore lost some important weapons to the NFL Draft last year, but this doesn’t mean the current offensive roster can’t provide Rosen what he needs. This will be the first year Coach Jim Mora’s offense will not be led by Noel Mazzone.

More than one Bruin, including yours truly, is excited at the prospect that new offensive coordinator Kennedy Polamalu will help Rosen shine—specially if the sophomore’s playbook will consist of more than just a few plays.

Advantage: UCLA

Related Story: OC Kennedy Polamalu Talks Offense

USC Offense vs. UCLA Defense

The USC offense doesn’t have too much to worry about. They return 10 starters, and after a long summer battle for QB, Max Browne has been named as Cody Kessler’s replacement.

If the returners continue to shine as they did last season, Browne won’t really have to do much. If he can manage to pass in the general location of JuJu Smith-Schuster or if he can make decent handoffs to RBs Justin Davis and Ronald Jones, USC’s offense should be able to do some damage.

Last year, the UCLA defense struggled with the run. Unless the Bruins show some serious adjustments have been made since, the Trojans will likely try to exploit the run game as much as possible. However, the Trojans don’t have to rely solely on this weakness as they have arguably the best wide receiver in college football.

Advantage: USC

Next: Final Analysis and Prediction