If the UCLA Football team wants to contend for the Pac-12 South Division, they are going to have to go through the USC Trojans and that will not be easy.
It is anybody’s guess as to what shape the UCLA Football team will be in by the time the end of the season rolls around.
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What makes things worse is that the Bruins play the USC Trojans in the second to last game of the season. Not only will the Bruins try to break a 2-game losing streak, they will also try not to get destroyed by their city neighbor who is being projected one of the best teams in the country in 2017.
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What: UCLA Bruins vs. USC Trojans
Where: Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles, CA
When: Saturday, November 18
Utah’s 2016 Record: 10-3 overall, 7-2 Pac -12
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The Trojans were one of the hottest teams in the 2016 season. After replacing former quarterback Max Browne with the athletics and Donald, the Trojans went nine and one which was capped off with the Rose Bowl victory over Penn State.
That momentum seems to be growing as we head into the 2017 season. USC is at the top of several preseason polls and have a lot of players making it onto preseason award watchlist
They list to say, USC is going to be very good once again and UCLA has to figure out a way to beat them and break the two-year Trojan win streak.
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USC Offense:
USC’s offense is going to be clicking on all cylinders from the get-go with QB Sam Darnold at the helm. He jumped onto the national scene four games in last year and showed off his skills as he led the Trojans on a path to success .
Darnold is very accurate with this passes and has a very high football IQ. There is a reason people are saying that he could go in the top three in next years NFL Draft. He’s that good. Darnold threw for 3,086 yards, averaged 237.4 passing yards per game, threw 31 touchdowns with only 9 interceptions. Yes, he’s that good.
Though the Trojans have a superstar gunslinger at quarterback, they’re going have to find a way to replace 44.8% of their passing yards from last year as Juju Smith-Schuster and Darreus Rogers are gone. Deontay Burton is the leading receiver among those returning as last season he averaged 47.8 yards per game and had 7 touchdowns, the second most in 2016. USC will also look to get the very talented Jalen Greene, Daniel Imatorbhebhe and Michael Pittman, Jr. into the mix.
The running back spot is going to be all about Ronald Jones II who came in for an injured Justin Davis last year and ran for over 1,000 yards. He is already getting a lot of attention as he (along with Darnold) was recently named to Athlon’s Preseason All-American team.
If the Trojans have a weakness on offense, it is their offensive line. USC loses several key starters from last season which includes both tackles, Zach Banner and Chad Wheeler. But that does not mean they are going to have a down year. USC always restocks and the O-line is one where they continually do well with.
UCLA’s defense is going to have to dig deep if they want to beat USC because it may have to be the defense that gets the W. Who knows? Maybe UCLA’s offense will be good next season and they will be able to go right at USC’s defense, which we will look at right now…
USC 2016 Offensive Stats
Total Offense: 477.1 (4th in the PAC-12)
Passing Offense: 276.4 (4th)
Rushing Offense: 200.7 (5th)
Scoring Offense: 34.4 (5th)
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USC Defense:
The Trojans might be even better on defense in 2017. That is not good for whatever opponent they play, and that includes UCLA.
On the defensive line, the Trojans’ only retuning starter is Rasheem Green who had 55 tackles last season, which included 6.5 tackles for a loss and 6 sacks. He will possibly be holding down the line with Jay Tufele and Kenny Bigelow, two very talented linemen.
The Trojans get beefy in the middle with a few solid linebackers, which includes Cameron Smith who was also on Athlon’s preseason All-American team. Smith returns as the leading tackler from last season with 83, seven of which went for a loss. He will be matched up with Porter Gustin who was second on the team in tackles (68) and first in tackles for a loss (13).
The secondary loses a huge weapon as Adoree’ Jackson has left early for the NFL. That’s a good thing for opposing quarterbacks throwing to that side of the field, but USC’s secondary is not devoid of talent. Two of the more skilled players to keep an eye on will be Iman Marshall and Marvel Tell III.
If UCLA’s offense sputters, the Trojans’ defense is going to swallow them up. If UCLA can make improvements, which do not necessarily have to be great, then Josh Rosen’s squad could keep this competitive. But that is a big if.
USC 2016 Defensive Stats
Total Defense: 367.2 (3rd in the PAC-12)
Passing Defense: 227.5 (4th)
Rushing Defense: 139.6 (4th)
Scoring Defense: 24.2 (5th)
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Final Analysis
USC is going to be flat out good. If UCLA wants to beat their crosstown rivals, they will have to play a complete game. Attention will be on the UCLA offense vs. the USC defense because if the Bruins cannot move the ball, they are are not going to win, especially with Darnold doing his thing against the UCLA defense. The Bruin D will slow down the Trojans, but they will not stop them.