Trojans, Bruins clash in Hollywood

CollegeFootballNews.com ^ | Novermber 30, 2005 | Matthew Zemek

[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.

[aft_lizard]

How could the go to the MNC? I think LSU's strength of schedule would bump them over USC.

[aft_lizard]

1983 Cornhuskers, 1995 Cornhuskers then 2004 USC.

[MikefromOhio]

nah LSU's SOS is taking big hits by playing Appalachian State and their loss coming from Tennessee...

[WinOne4TheGipper]

Hey, I was darn near right last week in picking the NFL Thanksgiving games. Give this one to me.:) Seriously, after what I've heard about USC's defense (especially after the Fresno State game), this team is due for a letdown, if not this week, then my 'Horns will do it.

[So Cal Rocket]

LSU gets hurt by common opponent comparison, too:

USC 70 - Arkansas 0
LSU 19 - Arkansas 17

USC 38 - Arizona State 28
LSU 35 - Arizona State 31

[aft_lizard]

Do they figure that into the computers?

[So Cal Rocket]

I believe at least 2 of the 6 of the computer models uses "common opponents" in their statistics. It could be more.

[Michael.SF.]

exists on an island in a one-of-a-kind world inaccessible to anyone outside L.A.

Sorry the games at the Coliseum this year, not the Rose Bowl.

[wireman]

Bingo. Even if USC loses a close one, they're still in the Rose Bowl.

[freedumb2003]

Good question -- but I think the 30+ win streak will hold USC's position as #2, but only if they beat Texas.

I am not convinced beating Texas on Jan 4 will be enough to overcome a loss to UCLA.

I suspect the reason they have the BCS is so we can have discussions like this. There was a GREAT article the other day in the form of a mythical letter to the NCAA pointing out every other college sport, including Football below Div IA, has a playoff.

[showme_the_Glory]

Notre D and Ohio state the consolation Bowl. 2 loss teams don't belong in any BS bowls.

[Michael.SF.]

In case you missed it, I was spot on in my prediction regarding the USC vs. Fresno game (I took Fresno and the points). This gane is always a tough one to predict. Everythibg points to a USC victory and that is what bothers me. When you expect to win, you often lose.

But here is my qualifier for the game:

The team that scores 30 (or less) points will lose.

This is not going to be a defensive struggle, but the team with the ball last, will probably be the one to win.

[Paulus Invictus]

Go Trojans! ( I despise the far left UCLA!)

[rockthecasbah]

Here's my case for top five:

USC, which has been ranked No. 1 in a national-record 32 straight AP polls, also is riding an NCAA record 15-game winning streak over AP Top 25 teams.

Since 2002, USC is undefeated in regulation in its last 47 games, losing at Washington State, 30-27, in overtime in 2002 and at California, 34-31, in triple overtime in 2003. Their last loss in regulation was at Kansas State, 27-20, on Sept. 21, 2002. Think about that for a second. Had kicker Ryan Killeen connected on his field goals in both overtime losses, USC might be going into this weekend's game against UCLA looking to break Oklahoma's 47-game winning streak from 1953-57, which is the longest in NCAA history.

One of the reasons USC has been so successful during that stretch has been its high-scoring offense. The Trojans have scored at least 22 points in their last 48 games. During this stretch USC has scored 30 or more points 39 times, 40 or more 29 times, 50 or more 10 times and 60 or more three times, including their 70-17 rout of Arkansas this season.

[rockthecasbah]

"( I despise the far left UCLA!)"

That's why I call them the ACLU bRuins!

[hole_n_one]

[rockthecasbah]

Babes in Troyland...

[hole_n_one]

That's gonna be one tired horsey.

[MikefromOhio]

yeah....that's pretty dominant if you ask me

[MikefromOhio]

does it even matter outside of the Rose Bowl?

It doesn't.

The Orange, the Fiesta and the Sugar Bowls are ALL consolation games. The only one that matters is the Rose.