This year, the Crosstown Showdown between the USC and UCLA football teams will be a little different, especially after both teams have not met expectations for the season, but that won’t matter come kickoff as only one thing matters, winning the Victory Bell.
It has been an interesting year for several college football teams, especially those that reside in the Pac-12 South Division. To say that it has been underwhelming is a bit of an understatement. That goes double for the UCLA football team and their rivals from across town, USC.
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For the Bruins, their first year with Chip Kelly has not gone as many UCLA fans hoped for. It was assumed that the Bruins would not contend for hardware this season and that has been proven with a 2-8 record, but there is one bit of hardware that matters for this one week.
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The Victory Bell.
But the team across town is not finished yet either. Depsite their current 5-5 record, which has taken them out of South Division contention and fans calling for their coach Clay Helton to be fired, they too will center their focus on this one game that determines who will ring the bell and own L.A. for another season. Also, if they get a win, they become bowl eligible.
But this game might not be as tight-knit as previous confrontations. Both teams have had their troubles this season and that will definitely bleed into the 86th edition of this L.A. city fight.
We have seen what UCLA can do, or more accurately, not do as mistakes have limited their ability to come away from games victoriously. In head coach Chip Kelly’s first year, we have seen a lot of growth, but not enough as the Bruins are 2-8 heading into the Crosstown Showdown.
But that is the situation that makes this game interesting. If UCLA loses, oh well, it is just another learning experience for the Bruins as they prepare for 2019. But if the win, not only do they get bragging rights, but they keep USC at five wins and going into their game against Notre Dame next week (which they will most likely lose), the Trojans will not be bowl eligible and will have a losing record.
USC has had a tough time adjusting to the post-Sam Darnold era. Even with the multiple 4 and 5-star players on their team, coaching has kept them from their potential. Just look at what happened against Cal. USC was up 14-0 and looked like they would be rolling. Cal won 15-14. And this was not the first time the Trojans had a nice lead over their opponent, only to come out with an “L”.
With that being said, all the pressure is on Helton and USC in this game. Chip Kelly is going to Chip Kelly, no matter if it results in a win or not. It is only one season and he has time to make changes. But if Helton loses to a 2-8 UCLA squad, there will be hell to pay… in the form of his job.
So it really does not matter what has happened before this game. Mistakes, misshapes, misfits. All that matters is winning the Victory Bell. Go Bruins!