Posted on 11/30/2005 3:17:21 PM PST by rockthecasbah
Now this is truly a football game the city of Los Angeles could love. The battle between the Bruins and Trojans is in many ways a bizarre, weird, excessive testosterone festival with big stakes and over-the-top emotions. It's everything the City of Angels is. In a place obsessed with image, trendiness, physical beauty, and maximum entertainment value, this year's battle for the Victory Bell will certainly capture the imagination of Angelino culture. This game is the sort of larger-than-large uber-spectacle that Hollywood thrives on. It's so big a game that it doesn't really feel like a regular-season finale. It's as though the clash between Westwood and Troy exists on an island in a one-of-a-kind world inaccessible to anyone outside L.A.
Reggie Bush's historic performance against Fresno State may have locked up another Heisman Trophy for the Trojans. (Jeff Gross / Getty Images) After all, UCLA will have had three weeks to prepare for this game, USC two. The only other time two football teams have a combined 4-5 weeks to prepare for a game other than a college bowl battle, of course is the Super Bowl. And in a non-NFL city whose college teams have entertained immensely over the past few years, thank you very much. Why would L.A. want a pro team? This game looks, cooks and feels like one with Super Bowl-level significance, hype and pressure. Moreover, it will be played in the L.A. Coliseum, which hosted the first Super Bowl back in 1967. Yeah, that's right, 1967 the same year Orenthal James Simpson made the single greatest play in the Bruins-Trojans rivalry, right on that very same Coliseum field.
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Ping.
USC 56 - UCLA 24
The Eyes of Texas are upon you!
Just like the Eyes of Oklahoma were on us last year.
Though I have no dog in this hunt. I wouldn't mind seeing USC win, so they can play TX...and then lose to TX.
But, I also love a good upset, so, I'll root for USC but if UCLA wins...that's not so bad.
That will more than cover the spread.
Bet the ranch on it.
Reggie's last game in the Coliseum.
Leinart's last game in the Coliseum.
Count on Reggie running for 200, LenDale another 100, and Matt throwing for 300.
I predict a LOT of offense
I don't care who wins, as long as someone beats UT in the championship game.
Upset:
UCLA: 37
USC: 27
Bump
There is no way that UCLA's defense will hold USC to 27 points... USC will have that by halftime.
O/U 74
USC -21.5
If UCLA wins, then Texas is clear national champ but from what I have read they will still play USC, but there would be no way for SC to declare themselves champs no matter what.
Kinda yechy. More fun for USC to beat UCLA (which they probaby will) and make it a REAL battle of the Titans in the Rose Bowl on the 4th (the 4th?)
yep...
I would take the over on that...
but I would say that UCLA keeps it closer than 3 TDs....maybe....
"Count on Reggie running for 200, LenDale another 100, and Matt throwing for 300."
Best College offense ever? Top five? Top ten?
top ten...
If they still had MIke Williams and all the other guys they lost early, then would be top 2....easily...
but I want to see them against the Texas defense. The Texas defense is easily the best one they will (probably) face all year.
Notre Dame's defense is a sieve. In fact, the entire Notre Dame team is overrated. Sure it's nice to see them relevant again, which means I can go back to hating them.
If UCLA wins, then chances are the computers won't drop USC far enough for LSU or PSU to jump them. Maybe. We might find out, but I don't think we will.
But if that happens, and USC still plays Texas in the Rose Bowl, then the winner of that game IS the 2005 National Champion.
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