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USC Trojans @ UCLA Bruins Football Preview

For USC, this is it.

There will be no jockeying for bowl or BCS standings for the Trojans this year. Facing their first year of sanctions, the postseason is out of play.

A disappointing and trying season comes to an end Saturday when USC meets crosstown rival UCLA at the Rose Bowl at 7:30 p.m. PT in the 80 th meeting between the two teams.

A loss would send the Trojans reeling headed into the offseason. USC already saw its eight-game winning streak against Notre Dame snapped last week with a 20-16 defeat. USC has won 10 of its last 11 games against UCLA.

The match could prove crucial to several recruiting battles, as USC and UCLA are going head-to-head on several highly rated California prospects.

Quarterback Matt Barkley is expected to return to the starting lineup after injuring his ankle midway through the Oregon State game. If he cannot play, Mitch Mustain will start in his last collegiate game. The USC offense has sputtered to just 27 points in its last two games, well below the torrid pace it set in the first three quarters of the season.

For as much as USC has struggled this season, UCLA’s presence in the city has been a constant reminder that things could always be worse. The Bruins are already eliminated from bowl contention, having lost last week to Arizona State.

The pistol offense has paid off limited dividends for UCLA. Richard Brehaut threw for 311 yards and three touchdowns last week while filling in for Kevin Prince, but the Bruins’ offense has otherwise been dead on arrival. UCLA ranks 116 th in passing yards and has only eight passing touchdowns on the year.

The poor performances have been enough to raise doubt over whether offensive coordinator Norm Chow will return next year.

Johnathan Franklin has been one of the lone bright spots for the Bruins. The sophomore running back has tallied more than 1000 rushing yards on the year already.

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A once stellar UCLA defense has surprised with some uninspiring performances this year. The Bruins gave up 55 points last week to a struggling Arizona State team. Their season average of 30.5 points per game is 89 th overall in the country.

USC’s offense will need more than Barkley’s return to be revived, however. The running game has also gone flat in recent weeks. Marc Tyler, the son of UCLA great Wendell Tyler, will be expected to return to the form he showed against Arizona. USC’s offensive line has also struggled in recent weeks.

Ronald Johnson will need to overcome a devastating drop in the Notre Dame game to round out his playing career.

On the injury front, USC may be without T.J. McDonald for the game, as he is questionable midway through the week.

By Mike Schwartz
DFN Sports Staff Writer