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UCLA Football: Ranking the 2017 opponents from easiest to toughest

By Mike Regalado

Sep 3, 2016; College Station, TX, USA; UCLA Bruins head coach Jim Mora yells from the sideline during a game against the Texas A&M Aggies at Kyle Field. Texas A&M won in overtime 31-24. Mandatory Credit: Ray Carlin-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 3, 2016; College Station, TX, USA; UCLA Bruins head coach Jim Mora yells from the sideline during a game against the Texas A&M Aggies at Kyle Field. Texas A&M won in overtime 31-24. Mandatory Credit: Ray Carlin-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 19, 2016; Pasadena, CA, USA; USC Trojans running back Aca’Cedric Ware (28) is tackled by UCLA Bruins defensive back Randall Goforth (3) in the second quarter against the UCLA Bruins at the Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 19, 2016; Pasadena, CA, USA; USC Trojans running back Aca’Cedric Ware (28) is tackled by UCLA Bruins defensive back Randall Goforth (3) in the second quarter against the UCLA Bruins at the Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports /

1. at USC Trojans, Nov 18

It is the Crosstown Showdown. It’s USC. It is a season in which the Trojans are expected to win, win, win and seeing as how USC has UCLA’s number the last few years, this is going to be the most difficult game on the schedule.

Now if UCLA improves in 2017, they could be in contention for the South Division, meaning this game could most likely determine who goes to the Pac-12 Championship Game.

But if UCLA once again performs below expectations, there will be a different kind of pressure to try and win this game, especially since they do not want to get embarrassed by their crosstown rivals for a third straight season.

Next: UCLA Football - Grading the 2017 starting wide receivers

Either way, with USC on the up and up once again and UCLA looking to write the wrongs of 2016, beating USC will be critical to the Bruins season.