The UCLA Bruins and USC Trojans meet up this afternoon in college football action with the winner advancing to the Pac 12 title game. The game is scheduled for a 3:30 p.m. start time and it will be televised live on ABC or ESPN2, depending on regional coverage. Currently the betting odds for the game have the Trojans favored by a slim margin to pick up the victory.
UCLA and USC have both had pretty good seasons, but not by their standards. The Bruins are 8-3 and ranked 22nd in the country, but Jim Mora's team is looking to beat the arch-rival Trojans in this game and earn themselves a spot in the conference title game. USC has the same aspirations, but at just 7-4 they are going to need a win in this one to start to feel better about how their season has ended up.
The Bruins have a great youngster in Josh Rosen, he will face off with Cody Kessler in a battle of pocket quarterbacks that can also make a play with their feet. Rosen has thrown for 19 scores this season, Kessler has tossed 25 in his final season in a Trojan uniform. Both have an excellent running back and receiver as well. UCLA lines up with Paul Perkins and Jordan Payton in those spots with a combined 15 touchdowns. USC's Ronald Jones II and JuJu Smith have 17 combined touchdowns.
The skill position players won't be an issue in this game, but the team that gets the best from those skilled players will certainly have a great shot to win.
Each team is 5-3 in conference play, the winner will take on Stanford in the Pac 12 title game. The Cardinal are the Pac 12's only real threat to make a spot in the college football playoff, but both of these teams could benefit from winning this contest plus a win over Stanford.
This is a rivalry game and UCLA can play pretty solid defense. The Bruins won impressively at Utah last weekend, this week they can knock off the rival Trojans.
Free Pick: UCLA
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