UCLA (3-8 overall, 3-5 Big Ten) at No. 19 USC (8-3, 6-2), Saturday, 4:30 p.m. PT, Coliseum, TV/radio: NBC (Ch. 4)/710 AM

Line: USC by 21.5

Haley Sawyer (OC Register)  —  A group of roughly 30 USC students who are members of the Trojan Knights sat below a cardinal-and-gold canopy tent in the heart of campus. Tommy Trojan is to the right of them, coated in layers of duct tape.

Across the way, Traveler wears a matching outfit. The dull silver, which has been funded by USC, shields them from potential vandalism from UCLA students, and the Trojan Knights’ watchful eyes are ready to deter any Bruin antics.

“We’ve been doing this for 82 years now,” Calder Swiderski said of the Trojan Knights’ 24/7 security. “When you’re here, and we’re all just chatting, hanging out, it doesn’t set in. But when I wake up for the day, I’m remembering I’m part of this organization that’s historic, that’s been on this campus. This organization’s over 100 years old.”

With the chance of making the College Football Playoff gone and all regular-season ranked opponents behind them, the Trojans can lean into the traditional side of college football that sometimes struggles to co-exist with the evolution of the sport.

USC (8-3 overall, 6-2 Big Ten) can complete an undefeated season at home if it beats crosstown rival UCLA (3-8, 3-5), and improve its overall dominance in the rivalry. The 17th-ranked Trojans have won 19 of the last 26 rivalry games though the teams are 2-2 the last four years.

No two college football rivals are geographically closer to each other than the Trojans and the Bruins – there are only 11 miles between the two schools. And it’s the greatest uniform matchup in college football.

“College football’s gone through a huge transition and in some ways, still kind of going through it,” USC head coach Lincoln Riley told reporters on a Friday morning Zoom call.

“Some of those (traditions) have been preserved across the country. Some of those have not, and we’re fortunate that this rivalry – with us both being here in town, with us both being in the Big Ten Conference, being conference opponents and not just rivals – has a chance to continue.”

It’s helpful context as college football rosters continue to morph due to the transfer portal. Born-and-raised Southern California kids, however, come ready for the rivalry.

“My whole childhood, it was always such a big game,” said offensive lineman Kaylon Miller (#60, brother King #30), who is from Calabasas.

“And so the fact that I get to like be there, and a part of it for the second time in my career, and this time getting a chance to play up in it – it’s so important to me that I put in every single effort that I can to make sure that we go out there and dominate this week.”

When UCLA has the ball

Quarterback Nico Iamaleava has led the Bruins through the ups and downs of an eventful season in his first year with the program. He’s the best passer as well as the best runner on the team – completing 181 of 285 passes (63.5%) for 1,728 yards and 12 touchdowns with seven interceptions while running for another 490 net yards and four touchdowns on 101 attempts.

As of Friday, it was still a possibility Iamaleava would not play on Saturday, though he was a full participant in practice on Thursday and Friday. According to interim head coach Tim Skipper, he remains day-to-day with neck spasms after leaving last weekend’s Washington game early due to a helmet-to-helmet hit.

But according to one person with knowledge of the situation not authorized to discuss it publicly because of the sensitivity of health matters, Iamaleava is expected to play against USC.

Backup quarterback Luke Duncan will take the field if Iamaleava isn’t healthy enough to play. Duncan has played in three games this season, completing 21 of 34 passes for 235 yards and two touchdowns.

The Bruins are expected to have tight end Hudson Habermehl back after he was cleared out of concussion protocol. But tight end Jack Pedersen (high ankle), wide receiver Rico Flores Jr. (calf) and running back Jaivian Thomas (unspecified injury) are considered doubtful. Cornerback Rodrick Pleasant will not play after undergoing surgery this week to repair a shoulder injury.

Jalen Berger is the second-leading rusher at 207 yards and two touchdowns on 74 carries. Sierra Canyon product Kwazi Gilmer has been UCLA’s most productive receiver with 40 catches for 310 yards and three touchdowns,

A big question for USC’s defense is at safety. Bishop Fitzgerald and Kamari Ramsey both suffered injuries two weeks ago against Iowa that kept them out of the Oregon game.

Christian Pierce and Kennedy Urlacher started against the Ducks and held their own. Going against a weaker offense in UCLA should give the junior/sophomore duo a chance to shine.

When USC has the ball

The Trojans have made explosive plays on offense thanks to talented receivers Makai Lemon and Ja’Kobi Lane all season, but true freshman Tanook Hines has also been working his way into the mix as a big-time playmaker and had a season-best 141 receiving yards against Oregon last week.

Quarterback Jayden Maiava matched a career-high in interceptions in his last outing at Oregon but is still spearheading an offense that is best in the conference at 301 passing yards per game, and 479.2 yards of total offense per game.

Riley confirmed to reporters in a Zoom call on Friday morning that offensive linemen Elijah Paige had a season-ending surgery and will not play in Saturday’s game. Center Kilian O’Connor will also be out for the rest of the year, Riley said, and will be having a procedure in the near future. USC has fielded seven different starting offensive lines this season due to injuries.

The USC offensive line needs a bounceback game against UCLA after it was held in check by a very good Oregon defense last week. The Trojans rushed for just 52 yards on 28 carries and neither King Miller nor Bryan Jackson had carries longer than six yards.

Running back Waymond Jordan has been listed as “questionable” on the pregame availability report for the last two weeks and has been seen on the sidelines during games celebrating with teammates without visible signs of lower-body limitations.

UCLA’s defense has struggled this season and is giving up 386.9 yards of offense per game. Knowing that the Trojans have the potential to overpower the Bruins very quickly, the coaching staff could choose to give playing time to a variety of players.

Prediction: USC 44 UCLA 21

ocregister.com

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