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With wins for both Pac-12 schools in Los Angeles last weekend, this week's rivalry matchup puts more than just bragging rights on the line.
The No. 17 UCLA Bruins travelled to the frigid Palouse and took care of business against the Washington State Cougars 44-36 on Saturday. The Bruins held a 37-7 lead at halftime in a game they dominated in most phases in the first half, but especially special teams. Although they got the win in Pullman, the guys over at Bruins Nation weren't too pleased with their effort against the Cougs:
The offense was impotent and really didn't get much going all game, and the defense was left out in the cold (literally) for far too long, allowing Wazzu to get in rhythm.
Lucky for the Bruins, the kick-off temperature in Pasadena will be warmer than the 27 degrees they endured in Pullman.
Meanwhile, the No. 18 USC Trojans are coming off a confidence building win over the Arizona State Sun Devils 38-17 on Saturday. The defense had a much better game than last weekend against the Oregon Ducks, but Conquest Chronicles is still worried they're being bit by annoying football insect: the turnover bug:
Even in a one-sided affair, and a minus-1 turnover margin, coughing the ball up more than twice will typically place teams in holes, particularly against good teams like Oregon and UCLA. Must be remedied if Roses are still in USC’s dreams.
Bruins fans will be begging Trojan quarterback Matt Barkley to repeat his performance; he threw three picks against ASU.
The rivalry game coming up between the Bruins and Trojans means more than it has in quite some time. The winner gets a trip to the Pac-12 Championship game and for UCLA, it would mean their second straight trip to championship game and a likely rematch with No. 2 Oregon.