2018 Game 11: USC vs. UCLA
November 16, 2018 | Football, USC Ripsit Blog, Features
USC head coach Clay Helton is 3-0 against UCLA.
USC Trojans (5-5, 4-4) vs. UCLA Bruins (2-8, 2-5)
Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena at 12:30 p.m. PT on FOX
Bruin to Watch: Redshirt Junior TE Caleb Wilson
If the name sounds familiar, that's because Wilson used to play for the Trojans. He came to USC as a walk-on in 2015 when his father, Chris Wilson, was the defensive line coach. He transferred to UCLA for the 2016 season, became immediately eligible, but made little impact. However, Wilson quickly exploded to begin the 2017 campaign, catching a school-record 15 passes for 208 yards in the Bruins memorable comeback over Texas A&M. Unfortunately, his breakout season was derailed by injury after five games, but he's been excellent again this year. He ranks 7th in the Pac-12 in receiving and tops among tight ends with 47 catches for 718 yards and 4 TDs.
Click here for more on the Bruins.
3 Keys
Gut Check
The Crosstown Showdown is always an emotion-fueled game between bitter rivals, so managing emotions is an annual key. Given the way the Trojans lost to Cal with a crucial unsportsmanlike conduct flag sealing their fate, they will be under a harsh microscope when it comes to player discipline. The other side of the emotional coin is that USC must match or exceed UCLA's energy despite the disappointment of this season in the grand scheme. The Bruins will be looking for a win to salvage their campaign and build momentum under new head coach Chip Kelly. The Trojans need a win to gain bowl eligibility, but their greatest motivation will be to hold onto the Victory Bell for a fourth consecutive year.
Keep It Simple
Since head coach Clay Helton has taken over the play-calling duties and Tim Drevno started managing the offensive line, USC has run the ball effectively with Aca'Cedric Ware as the lead back. The senior torched the Beavers for 205 rushing yards and added 103 more against the stout Cal defense. UCLA is 11th in the Pac-12 in rushing defense, giving up 215.5 yards per game. Even more, the Bruins have yielded three or more touchdowns on the ground in 8 of 10 games. Ware and Vavae Malepeai should be able to pound UCLA into submission.
Whatever It Takes
As the cliche goes, you can throw out the records when USC and UCLA match up. And in this case, both teams would like to. The Trojans have lost three of four games, which has created an external firestorm on social media. The noise has gotten so loud that Helton and the players were forced to address it after practice this week. A win over UCLA will not silence the doubters, but it's a start. Whether it's on special teams, like 2017's Michael Pittman Jr. punt return for a touchdown, or defense, like Rasheem Green's scoop-and-score in the 2015 game, or an unlikely source, like De'Quan Hampton's two TD catches in 2016, USC must summon the playmaking ability to keep Helton and the seniors perfect against the Bruins.
Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena at 12:30 p.m. PT on FOX
Bruin to Watch: Redshirt Junior TE Caleb WilsonIf the name sounds familiar, that's because Wilson used to play for the Trojans. He came to USC as a walk-on in 2015 when his father, Chris Wilson, was the defensive line coach. He transferred to UCLA for the 2016 season, became immediately eligible, but made little impact. However, Wilson quickly exploded to begin the 2017 campaign, catching a school-record 15 passes for 208 yards in the Bruins memorable comeback over Texas A&M. Unfortunately, his breakout season was derailed by injury after five games, but he's been excellent again this year. He ranks 7th in the Pac-12 in receiving and tops among tight ends with 47 catches for 718 yards and 4 TDs.
Click here for more on the Bruins.
3 Keys
Gut Check
The Crosstown Showdown is always an emotion-fueled game between bitter rivals, so managing emotions is an annual key. Given the way the Trojans lost to Cal with a crucial unsportsmanlike conduct flag sealing their fate, they will be under a harsh microscope when it comes to player discipline. The other side of the emotional coin is that USC must match or exceed UCLA's energy despite the disappointment of this season in the grand scheme. The Bruins will be looking for a win to salvage their campaign and build momentum under new head coach Chip Kelly. The Trojans need a win to gain bowl eligibility, but their greatest motivation will be to hold onto the Victory Bell for a fourth consecutive year.
Keep It Simple
Since head coach Clay Helton has taken over the play-calling duties and Tim Drevno started managing the offensive line, USC has run the ball effectively with Aca'Cedric Ware as the lead back. The senior torched the Beavers for 205 rushing yards and added 103 more against the stout Cal defense. UCLA is 11th in the Pac-12 in rushing defense, giving up 215.5 yards per game. Even more, the Bruins have yielded three or more touchdowns on the ground in 8 of 10 games. Ware and Vavae Malepeai should be able to pound UCLA into submission.
Whatever It Takes
As the cliche goes, you can throw out the records when USC and UCLA match up. And in this case, both teams would like to. The Trojans have lost three of four games, which has created an external firestorm on social media. The noise has gotten so loud that Helton and the players were forced to address it after practice this week. A win over UCLA will not silence the doubters, but it's a start. Whether it's on special teams, like 2017's Michael Pittman Jr. punt return for a touchdown, or defense, like Rasheem Green's scoop-and-score in the 2015 game, or an unlikely source, like De'Quan Hampton's two TD catches in 2016, USC must summon the playmaking ability to keep Helton and the seniors perfect against the Bruins.
Players Mentioned
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