UCLA Football vs. USC 2017: Go Joe Bruin predicts the game!

It is once again time for the writers of Go Joe Bruin to get together and predict the game as the UCLA Football team takes on crosstown rival, the USC Trojans.

It is rivalry week! Unfortunately the annual Crosstown Showdown might be one-sided as the UCLA Football team is a step behind the USC Trojans.

Though there is always a chance for any team to get a victory in a rivalry game, looking at the path UCLA has taken, the potential result seems obvious.

Michael Chavez, USC 45 – UCLA 34

The Bruins won’t be able to slow the Trojan rushing game and have to rely on offense to try and keep pace which has been the storyline all year long. Rosen out duels Darnold through the air but given his propensity for turnovers this year and the “strength” of the UCLA defense being in the secondary the Trojans opt for a light day through the air since they know the Bruins struggle defending the ground game.

However when the passing game presents itself the Trojans take full advantage with play action. The Bruin offense is able to move the ball surprisingly well on the ground but it bogs down in the red zone. This won’t be a bad day for the UCLA offense. But it will just be that much better of a day for SC’s offense.

Nathan Eberhardt, UCLA 42 – USC 35

Clay Helton and Sam Darnold buy the hype around this game as a QB battle royale, and they aim to prove Darnold the better quarterback in town. They lean on the pass and try to force things early, leading to a couple of first half USC turnovers, on which the Bruins capitalize with a balanced offensive attack to stake a two score lead.

USC finds more success in the second half relying on their talented running backs, but being behind they still throw more than they’d like to against UCLA’s defense. A clean game from Bruins special teams, and a balanced offensive performance limits USC’s ability to come back as the Bruins hold on for a one-score upset victory. However, if ANY SINGLE THING deviates from this prediction, and the playcalling or execution or luck go even slightly in USC’s favor, then expect a score much like what the rest of my colleagues are predicting (and what is frankly far more likely): USC 55-31 UCLA

David Goldman, USC 51 – UCLA 24

Ronald Jones is one of the best backs in the country and he should have a huge day against the depleted Bruin defense. Darnold won’t have to do much to run up the score on the Bruins, and Helton should be criticized if he throws more than 20 passes on a defense that can’t stop the run. The offense will keep it close in the first half but USC will run away with it in the second.

Andrew Goodman, UCLA 35 – USC 28

i will NEVER, EVER predict USC to win. This is a rivalry game, and all bets are off. This isn’t just a regular season PAC-12 game, and the Bruins know how to play the role of spoiler very well. UCLA got great contributions from their youngins’ on defense, and i look for them to carry that momentum into this weekend. I expect Kenny Young to wreak havoc on Sam Darnold and company. On offense, Rosen will show out on the biggest stage. Nothing like prime time college football to get the juices flowing. This season would be salvaged with a win at U$C.

Michael Hanna, USC 55-UCLA 24

This game is real easy. USC is really good at running the ball. UCLA is historically bad at stopping it. It’s gonna be a rough day for the Bruins as Ronald Jones, Stephen Carr, and Ced Ware rack up close to 450 yards rushing in a Trojan rout. Finding your nearest bookie and putting a substantial amount of money on USC -15 will help ease your pain considerably, because if UCLA is gonna get its doors blown off, you should at least find some way to benefit from it.

David Rosenthal, USC 49 – UCLA 28

As much as I’ll be yelling for UCLA, if I have to make a prediction with my head instead of my heart, I have to go with USC. Both teams will be hyped for the game and I think the Bruins defense will keep it close in the first quarter. From then on, USC’s running game led by Ronald Jones will wear out UCLA. Josh Rosen should be able to take advantage of an injury ladened Trojans’ defense. If UCLA can get Bolu Olorunfunmi going early, it will open up the secondary for Rosen. But if the Bruins’ run game is stifled, it may be tough for the Bruins’ offense to get going.

Next: The 2018 UCLA Football schedule has been released

Mike Regalado, USC 45 – UCLA 32

The Bruins are going to have to (Ronald Jones II is going to run over UCLA’s defense) do a lot to try and prove that (Ronald Jones II is going to run over UCLA’s defense) they can hang with the Trojans. The offense will (Ronald Jones II is going to run over UCLA’s defense) have a chance with Rosen under center, but they have (Ronald Jones II is going to run over UCLA’s defense) been decimated by injuries. Both on (Ronald Jones II is going to run over UCLA’s defense) offense and defense. If the run defense can slow Ronald Jones II (not going to happen) then UCLA has a chance to come away victorious (Ronald Jones II is going to run over UCLA’s defense).