The Rose Bowl at Noon PT on FOX
Bruin to Watch: Redshirt freshman QB Brett Hundley
Other than head coach Jim Mora Jr., Hundley represents the biggest reason for optimism and change in Westwood. The QB ranks third in nearly every passing category in the conference. The Bruins have not been this solid under center since Drew Olson finished eighth in the Heisman Trophy balloting in 2005, which, not coincidentally, was the last time UCLA came into this match-up nationally ranked. Hundley can also move his feet, averaging 27 rush yards per game with six TDs on the ground. The Arizona native will be a fixture in the Crosstown Rivalry for the next few years.(Photo by Scott Halleran/Getty Images)
Click the link for more on the Bruins: USC Release.pdf
3 Keys
Dock the Jet Ski
Hundley has a lot of talent, but he's still a freshman, who needs to prove that he can produce on this stage. Johnathan "Jet Ski" Franklin is a known entity. He went to Dorsey High School in the shadow of the Coliseum, but he has starred in the Rose Bowl. The senior ranks third in the conference in rushing this season (127 yards per game). Even more, he became the Bruins all-time leading rusher this year. He has been effective against USC in his career, averaging 7.68 yards per carry over three games. The USC defense must stop the run and force Hundley into the air.
One in Thirteen
USC has dominated the rivalry for more than a decade now, but the lone UCLA win came in 2006 thanks to the Bruins pass rush. UCLA ranks third in the Pac-12 with 38 sacks led by junior LB Anthony Barr, who leads the conference with 10.5. The Bruins front seven is imposing with Barr (16.5 tackles for loss), DL Datone Jones (13.5 TFLs), LB Damien Holmes (9.5 TFLs) and DL Cassius Marsh (9 TFLs). The USC offensive line has played its best ball of late, but the tackles must hold up to give Matt Barkley time to take advantage of UCLA's struggling secondary (105th ranked pass defense nationally).
City Champs
For the first time in years, UCLA has real belief. The Bruins have a better record and ranking than the Trojans. The city is alive with anticipation. The Trojans must match the moment. To that end, Lane Kiffin has avoided all 50-0 talk this week. New year, new scoreboard. If USC brings the requisite intensity and concentration, the Trojans have too much talent for the Bruins to close the gap.
