UCLA Football vs. USC 2018: Go Joe Bruin predicts the game!

Its that time of the week as Go Joe Bruin predicts the game between the UCLA football team and their rivals from 12 miles east, the USC Trojans, as they once again engage in battle.

We only have one more day until the USC and UCLA football teams get down to business in the Battle for L.A. So who will come out victorious?

The writers of Go Joe Bruin look at all the factors that are going into this game between the UCLA Bruins (2-8, 2-5) and the USC Trojans (5-5, 4-4) and our predictions might surprise you.

Mike Crawford

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I want UCLA to win this one, and I think they’ll give the Trojans a solid fight. However, UCLA’s stupid mistakes and its inability to close out close games will be on display yet again, leading to a fourth-straight loss to the school across town. Silver lining: Helton keeps his job. Southern Cal 28 – UCLA 21

Nathan Eberhardt

If the Bruins can follow the script they used at Cal, and pulverize the middle of USC’s defense, Joshua Kelley has the chance to cement his legend in UCLA history as a Trojan-slayer of the highest order. With their shambolic offense, USC’s only hope is to rely on their athletic and talented receivers to snag a couple of great catches for big TDs, but the Bruins can hamper that effort by scrounging up whatever remains of the pass rush and taking advantage of USC’s dismal pass protection to spend all afternoon in the Trojan backfield. UCLA 31 – USC 20

Michael Hanna

All signs point to UCLA playing better than USC in recent weeks, yet I just can’t get past the Bruins 2-8 record this season and can’t bring myself to expect victory during any game in such a season. USC has a decent defense that’s better against the pass than the run, so it would make sense to try to bludgeon the Trojans into submission by going run-heavy this week, but that hasn’t been the way Chip has played it this season outside of six consecutive quarters against Washington and Cal. Ultimately, in a game featuring two teams that excel at being their own worst enemy, the winner will likely be the team that does the least to beat itself and I think the usual penalties, drops, and special teams miscues will all contribute to UCLA narrowly losing a very winnable Crosstown Showdown. USC 26 – UCLA 21

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Jake Merrifield

Bruin incompetence can’t quite outdo the Trojan turmoil and UCLA wins despite itself. UCLA 28 – USC 17

Chris Osgood

S&P+ favors USC up and down the board. S&P+ doesn’t know about the Clay Helton fiasco this week though! Fortunately, the entire USC roster is pondering Helton’s plan to be around for 15 more years with his jaw set and is about to completely check out mentally. UCLA 28 – USC 21

Mike Regalado

Ostensibly, this could be one of the worst games both teams have played against each other in this 88-year marathon of hate. It is not hard to fathom that these two adversaries will excel at making mistakes, but seeing as it is a rivalry game, anything can happen. Blah blah blah.

What I predict is a UCLA having a balanced attack on offense, alternating plays between Joshua Kelley and Wilton Speight–Caleb Wilson. I predict the Bruin defense continues to struggle to stop the run but will make enough to hamper USC’s offense.

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Above all, I predict UCLA will retaliate for the senseless vandalize brought upon the Bruin Bear. That beautiful creature never hurt anyone. It’s a needless crime and someone has to answer for it. That will be the USC football team. UCLA 22 – USC 17