USC and UCLA Meet in Big Pac-12 Showdown at the Rose Bowl

A longtime rivalry featuring two Pac-12 Los Angeles based teams, kicks off Saturday night from the Rose Bowl when the UCLA Bruins host the USC Trojans.

UCLA this season is 8-2 SU while 3-7 ATS. USC thus far is 7-3 SU as well as 6-4 ATS.

This rivalry has tilted in favor of UCLA since coach Jim Mora and quarterback Brett Hundley came aboard two years ago for the Bruins.

Now first year USC head coach Steve Sarkisian will attempt to give USC an upper hand.

Both teams are battling for the title in the South division of the Pac-12. UCLA is currently ranked No. 11 in the nation and USC No. 24.

UCLA lost 12 of 13 games in the series against USC prior to Mora becoming the head coach two years ago.

UCLA two seasons ago defeated USC 38-28 and last season 35-14 for its first back-to-back victories against USC since winning 8 straight starting in 1991.

More is at stake this season. USC currently is the leader in the South Division with a conference record of 6-2. UCLA is tied for second with two other teams at 5-2, including Arizona State and Arizona.

UCLA is ranked No. 9 and USC No. 19 in the latest College Football Playoff rankings.

Hundley has 442 passing yards and 90 rushing yards against USC in his career. He has throw one touchdown and run for four.

While Sarkisian was coaching for the Washington Huskies, he lost 2 of 3 head-to-head matchups against UCLA.

While Hundley is a talented passer, the UCLA running attack is second in the Pac-12 averaging almost 216 yards a game. Paul Perkins the leading rusher for the Bruins is second in the conference averaging 117 yards per game.

Javorius Allen leads the USC rushing attack and the conference with an average of 118 yards per game. Prior to USC’s win against California on November 13, Allen rushed six consecutive games for 100 yards or more.

USC is led at quarterback by Cody Kessler. He is fourth in the nation with 29 passes for touchdowns. Over his past two games, Kessler has 771 passing yards and 9 touchdowns.

UCLA can win the South division by winning its last two games. USC must defeat UCLA and hope Arizona State loses one of its final two conference games.

Josh Shaw the talented defensive back for USC has been reinstated after being suspended since lying to officials at USC about the way he sprained both ankles during a fall in the preseason.

USC is quick out of the gate scoring 129 points during the first quarter this season while allowing just 22.

UCLA lead the country in red zone scoring proficiency at 97.5%.

Pick: I like UCLA behind the arm and legs of Hundley 37-28.