Southern California (5-5, 3-5 Big Ten) will face off against UCLA (4-6, 3-5) on Saturday at 10:30 p.m. EST. The game will air on NBC, with BetMGM College Football Odds favoring USC by 4.5 points. Historically, USC holds an advantage in the series, leading with a record of 52 wins, 34 losses, and 7 ties.

This year’s matchup is especially significant for both teams, as they look to regain some pride in their inaugural season in the Big Ten Conference. For both the Trojans and Bruins, city bragging rights, the coveted Victory Bell, and hopes for postseason play are all on the line. USC enters the game with momentum following a quarterback change to redshirt sophomore Jayden Maiava, which led to a 28-20 victory over Nebraska. However, with a tough matchup against No. 6 Notre Dame looming next week, this game presents a crucial opportunity for USC to become bowl eligible. Meanwhile, UCLA is looking to bounce back after a three-game winning streak was snapped with a 31-19 loss to Washington last week.

One of the key battles to watch will be between USC running back Woody Marks and UCLA’s run defense. Marks showcased his talent in the previous game, rushing for a career-high 146 yards against Nebraska, marking his first 1,000-yard season in his fifth year. The Bruins, known for their stout defensive front, rank seventh in the FBS for run defense and will certainly provide a formidable challenge. They limited Iowa’s RB Kaleb Johnson to just 49 yards in their previous matchup on November 8.

Another player to keep an eye on is USC’s Maiava, who rebounded from a shaky start against Nebraska, eventually passing for 259 yards, three touchdowns, and rushing for a score. His ability to throw downfield and make plays with his legs has added a new dimension to the offense that was missing when Miller Moss was the starter. For UCLA, quarterback Ethan Garbers will need to step up after putting up decent numbers against Washington. He had 267 passing yards and two touchdowns, along with 49 rushing yards, but will need to regain his sharpness to give his team a chance against a vastly improved USC defense, which he managed to exploit for three touchdown passes in a 38-20 win last season.

In terms of statistics, one significant factor could be the performance on third downs. USC’s offense has been proficient in this area, converting 46.8% of attempts, ranking 17th nationally. Conversely, UCLA’s defense has struggled, allowing opponents to convert 52% of their third-down attempts, placing them last among 134 teams. Additionally, it is worth noting that in the last four meetings, the road team has emerged victorious, a trend that hasn’t occurred since 1959-1962 when both teams shared the LA Memorial Coliseum. USC is also dealing with a flu outbreak that impacted several key players during their last game against Nebraska.