Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena at 5 p.m. PT on ABC and WatchESPN
Bruin to Watch: RS Junior QB Brett Hundley
The Crosstown Showdown is not only going to determine city dominance, but it may also settle the debate about the best quarterback in Los Angeles. Hundley has worn out the Trojans in each of his first two rivalry starts with his dual threat ability. In 2012, he controlled the game with his arm (22/30 for 234 yards and 1 TD), and in 2013, he won it with his legs (13 carries for 80 yards and 2 TDs). This season, Cody Kessler has put up better stats, although Hundley has made crucial plays late in games to save the Bruins from some potentially embarrassing losses. He is also remarkably accurate (72.1% completions) and running more of late (89+ yards in four of the last five games).Click here for more on the Bruins.
3 Keys
4.0
Four yards per carry is the magic number. In conference play, only Utah has held the Bruins under four yards per carry over the course of the game. The Utes sacked Hundley 10 times, which is remarkable given his size and agility, in their upset of UCLA in the Rose Bowl. Since then, the Bruins' rush offense has surged up the Pac-12 rankings into second on the season. After being gashed by Boston College, the USC run defense has become one of the best in the nation, and no opponent has cracked 4.0 yards per game in that time. Given the "pick your poison" that Hundley represents, the Trojans would rather force him to beat them from the pocket and eliminate Paul Perkins.
Front Runners
If this game plays out like the rest of the season, USC will surge to a big early lead and then UCLA will come back to force a dramatic finish. The trend is typical of both teams. The Trojans are first in the nation in first quarter scoring margin (129-22), while the Bruins have trailed at some point in eight of their 10 games. No USC fan will feel safe with a lead, but the truth is that the Trojans need another fast start. They fell into huge holes in each of the last two years (24-0 in 2012 and 14-0 in 2013), which enabled UCLA to grind out victories with the run game. If Cody Kessler and the offense can find an early rhythm, the Trojans can dictate how the game will be played and put scoreboard pressure on the Bruins.
Put on for Your City
The nation will be watching, but this is a local feud. The Trojans admitted this week that they did not handle the emotions of the rivalry well last season. "Play with emotion, but don't let your emotions play you," said sophomore Su'a Cravens. The atmosphere will be second to none Saturday night, which is exactly why these players chose to come to USC and UCLA. Schemes and talent will play a major role, but the Victory Bell will go to the team willing to lay it all on the line.
