UCLA vs USC: Rivalry lives on

Jeff Hauser

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UCLA vs. USC — Los Angeles Rivalry that will never fade image

TL;DR

  • The UCLA-USC rivalry, a historic contest since 1929, now moves to SoFi Stadium for UCLA.
  • This Big Ten matchup features USC's quarterback legacy against UCLA's disruptive play and evolving team strengths.
  • The Victory Bell trophy symbolizes the intense cultural struggle and bragging rights in Southern California.
  • USC hosts UCLA on Saturday, with USC needing a win for a New Year's Six bowl game.

The UCLA-USC rivalry splits streets in the shadows of Hollywood. 

Since its 1929 inception, this contest alternates between the Coliseum and the Rose Bowl, showcasing a clash of glamour and drive. A new chapter begins with its relocation to SoFi Stadium for UCLA, yet the matchup remains compelling as these Big Ten adversaries contend with conference ramifications. 

The Trojans' quarterback legacy, marked by Heisman winners and top recruits, frequently faced challenges from UCLA's disruptive play under coaches such as Karl Dorrell and Chip Kelly. The dynamic of this rivalry has shifted, evolving from The Trojans' dominant period in the early 2000s to the Bruins' own periods of strength. Currently, Lincoln Riley's USC squad, with interim coach Tim Skipper at the helm for UCLA, requires a victory to secure a spot in a New Year's Six bowl game.  

The Victory Bell trophy, which UCLA students once took in 1940s pranks before formal exchanges recommenced, represents the rivalry's cultural struggle in Southern California. Here, bragging rights carry more weight than conference implications, and victories spanning freeways and fraternity houses are what set this contest apart. 

USC hosts UCLA on Saturday (7:30 p.m. ET, NBC). 

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