College Game Preview: #22 UCLA vs. USC

Nov 22, 2014; Pasadena, CA, USA; Southern California Trojans quarterback Cody Kessler (6) is pressured by UCLA Bruins defensive lineman Eddie Vanderdoes (47) and linebacker Deon Hollins (58) during the first half at the Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports

There is always a lot on the line when the UCLA Bruins collide with the USC Trojans. This year the stakes are even higher as a division title, spot in the Pac-12 title game and Rose Bowl bid are on the line. This will be just the beginning for the school to walk out of the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum with the Victory Bell.

UCLA has won this game three years in a row behind former quarterback Brett Hundley and a stellar defense. While freshman Josh Rosen has been exceptional since taking over the QB duties, the Bruins will still need a stellar performance from their defense in this one. That could be an issue as several key players from last year’s squad are missing from that side of the ball. Owamagbe Odighizuwa and Eric Kendricks were drafted, Anthony Jefferson graduated and Myles Jack, Fabian Moreau and Eddie Vanderdoes all sustained season-ending injuries. That puts a lot on the shoulders of a player like defensive tackle Kenny Clark.

UCLA Bruins

Clark will be a big key to UCLA extending their winning streak to four games in this rivalry. He’s one of just two Bruins defenders, the other being Randall Goforth, to start every game this season. He’s an excellent run defender and can force opponents to become one-dimensional. With Ronald Jones in the backfield, USC has become much more of a rushing threat late in the season. It will be Clark’s job to shut that down early, putting the Trojans in obvious passing situations.

If that happens, the onus will be on USC QB Cody Kessler to win this game for the Trojans. He’s been the starter in the last two losses to the intracity rival. The senior has struggled in this series, completing 62 percent of his passes while averaging just 194 yards through the air. His favorite target JuJu Smith-Schuster is dealing with a fractured bone in his hand and a twisted ankle, so Kessler will need to spread the ball around. Receivers Adoree’ Jackson, Steven Mitchell and Darreus Rogers should all see plenty of targets. That also means USC will need to get creative. In the redzone, look for Kessler to target tight end Tyler Petite to exploit the lack of depth on the UCLA defense. The 6-foot-6 freshman caught his first career touchdown pass last week and could see increased playing time as the season winds down.

Prediction:

The winning team still has a shot at the Rose Bowl, so there won’t be any backing down. UCLA is the higher-ranked team, but I’ll give a slight edge to USC for two reasons. First, Clay Helton may be coaching for his job. Although USC could go in any direction with their search, Helton can at least keep himself in the running with a win. The second reason is Cody Kessler. He hasn’t had the success he would have liked in his final college season, but he’s going to do everything he possibly can to make sure he doesn’t leave USC without first beating UCLA. Kessler and the Trojans pull out the win and head to Santa Clara to take on Stanford for the Pac-12 crown.

USC 31, UCLA 27