What’s next for USC football? Crosstown rival UCLA

No. 8 USC at No. 12 UCLA

When: Saturday, time TBD

Where: Rose Bowl

TV/Radio: TBD/AM 790

Records: USC 9-1, 7-1 in Pac-12; UCLA 8-1, 5-1

USC update: The Trojans come into this game on a three-game winning streak with their defense getting a little bit of a confidence boost after holding Colorado to 259 total yards in Friday’s 55-17 win. … QB Caleb Williams shook off a first-quarter interception to throw for three touchdowns and run for two more while sitting out the entire fourth quarter of the lopsided game. … USC has won nine games in a season for the first time since 2019. … The latest image from this past weekend for USC won’t be a happy one. USC saw its leading rusher, Travis Dye, go down with a season-ending injury to his left leg. It’s hard to overstate what an impact the senior has had in his short time at USC, as evidenced by the way his teammates swarmed around the cart before he was taken off the field. … In the second half against Colorado without Dye, USC rushed 25 times for 160 yards.

UCLA update: A year after scoring a record 62 points in its win over USC, the Bruins’ offense is likely better than it was then. QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson has evolved into a reliable offense manager. He is third nationally with a 71.7% completion rate and is on pace to set career highs in passing yards and touchdowns. … RB Zach Charbonnet is likewise an explosive option out of the backfield for UCLA, rushing for 964 yards through nine games (16th nationally). … Like USC, the UCLA defense relies heavily on its ability to create turnovers. The Bruins have forced 14 turnovers this season, including nine interceptions.

Related Articles