Go Joe Bruin previews the UCLA Football team’s late-season battle with USC as the Bruins will seek to return the Victory Bell to its proper color.
Prior to 2012, the UCLA Football team had lost to USC for five years in a row, including a devastating 50-0 loss at the Coliseum in 2011.
Then things changed. UCLA hired former NFL coach Jim Mora as the program’s head coach. Redshirt freshman Brett Hundley won the starting quarterback job. Anthony Barr switched to linebacker after playing with the offense for two years.
All of sudden, the Football Gods had decided to favor the Bruins. In 2012, the Bruins defeated USC at the Rose Bowl 38-28. Then, in 2013, UCLA came out swinging at the Coliseum to beat the Trojans 35-14. And in case anyone thought the Bruins were just getting lucky, UCLA defeated USC handily 38-20 in 2014.
Although the Bruins were having trouble even competing for the Pac-12 title, UCLA fans could at least rejoice for three years in the fact that the Bruins were dominating their crosstown rivals.
The message was clear: The Bruins owned L.A. Everybody knew that. Then last year happened.
It didn’t matter that star freshman QB Josh Rosen was leading the Bruins or that UCLA was ranked #22 and USC wasn’t or that the Bruins were finally contending for the Pac-12 South title after upsetting Utah a week before.
The Bruins fell to the Trojans 40-21. This year, the Bruins and Trojans are predicted to battle each other out for the Pac-12 South title again. Will the result be different this year?
Next: 2015 Record and Recap
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.
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
3 Key Players
WR JuJu Smith-Schuster I don’t mind giving credit where credit is due. Junior wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster will be starting for the Trojans, and he will shine alright. This USC wideout has first round pick talent and could be the best wide receiver in college football this coming season.
Last year Smith-Schuster almost topped 1,500 receiving yards in 89 catches. He also had 10 touchdowns and 4 kickoff returns totaling 51 yards. Smith-Schuster has long arms and large hands along with incredible athleticism. The Bruins’ defensive backfield better be ready for this receiver or they will be in big trouble.
CB Adoree’ Jackson
If you’re not familiar with the name Adoree’ Jackson then you haven’t been paying attention. Jackson will be starting in his third year at USC as a three-way weapon. The junior, who is a cornerback, has also seen action at wide receiver and returner.
More from UCLA Bruins Football
- UCLA Football: It’s time for the nation to meet Dante Moore
- UCLA Football: Where are they ranked heading into week 4
- UCLA Football: Position battle breakdown for Utah showdown
- UCLA vs. Utah: Location, time, prediction, and more
- UCLA Football: Highlights from Chip Kelly’s appearance on the Jim Rome Show
Jackson is sort of like UCLA’s own Myles Jack, but yet, not quite. Still, offenses fear this Trojan enough to avoid the side of the field the corner is on. However, UCLA’s starting quarterback Josh Rosen and (recently transitioned to) wide receiver Ishmael Adams seem like the right duo to test Jackson’s dominance in the back field.
OT Zach Banner Although USC’s QB position is not as solid as it was at the beginning of last year’s season, the named starter, Max Browne, can sleep better at night knowing Zach Banner will be part of his line. Banner, who stands tall at 6’9’’ and 360 lbs., usually plays on the right side.
His performance last year was impressive enough to make the All-Pac-12 first team and win him the USC’s Offensive Lineman of the Year Award. Yet, this big lineman has a baby face and likes to do little things. He is almost a likeable Trojan.
Stats
- USC leads the series 45-31-7.
- The largest winning streak belongs to UCLA when the Bruins defeated the Trojans 8 years in a row between 1991 and 1998.
- USC scored 92 points off turnovers last season.
Next: Offenses vs. Defenses
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
Final Analysis
UCLA and USC are both being predicted to win the Pac-12 South title this year. This means this game will be key for either team in deciding who will be facing Stanford in the Pac-12 championship. Arguably, UCLA has the better team.
Even the AP folks agree. But UCLA is trying out a new offensive system and the defense will be without stars Myles Jack and Kenny Clark. If UCLA can keep the defense somewhat healthy, perhaps young QB Josh Rosen might experience for the first time what it’s like to defeat USC at the Rose Bowl.Otherwise, there is no doubt that the Bruins will struggle.
More from Go Joe Bruin
- UCLA Football: It’s time for the nation to meet Dante Moore
- UCLA Football: Where are they ranked heading into week 4
- UCLA Football: Position battle breakdown for Utah showdown
- UCLA vs. Utah: Location, time, prediction, and more
- UCLA Football: Highlights from Chip Kelly’s appearance on the Jim Rome Show
Next: Jim Mora and Theo Howard Talk to the Media
Prediction
Expect a high scoring game full of talented players and many broken hearts. If UCLA can keep turnovers to a minimum, the Bruins should get ready to paint the Victory Bell at the end of the 4th quarter. Prediction: UCLA 38 – USC 35