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There's only one question: where does your allegiance lie?
The Bruins were slaughtered by the Trojans 66-19 last year with what was considered the best UCLA men's football program in years. What is important to realize however is that last year's USC men's football program was also considered its best in years.
While USC lacks the star power of last year's team, Pete Carroll has managed to take this year's additions and turn them into an offensive powerhouse. A win today for USC will automatically put them in the BCS Bowl against #1 Ohio State.
USC is playing for a national title. UCLA is playing to regain respect. Which carries more pressure? You decide.
The Bruins are working hard to put 7 years of defeat behind them today. This will rely mostly on their revamped defense which has shown its capability more than once yet faltered critically several times this season. While it will be crucial to withstand Trojan offense throughout the entire game, it is a known fact that without early scoring the Bruin defense is going to find itself in an extremely tight spot come second half. Trojan offense builds like the tide at dusk -- gaining strength with each passing minute and coming on relentlessly.
The defensive line will need to block USC's stellar wide receivers from breaking through because Booty + Jarrett = long, successful completions. In addition, in the only Trojan loss of the season against Oregon State the game was won with 4 costly turnovers. If the Bruins can hustle to take advantage of such errors it just might give them the edge they need to pull out a win.
UCLA vs. USC Men's Football
1:30pm Los Angeles Time
on ABC
Be there or be square.
AP Photos
