UCLA, USC Face Off For Conference Championship Bid
LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — The most storied rivalry in Southern California sports is set to write its latest chapter Saturday as UCLA and USC face off at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.
The Trojans are looking to continue their season's improbable momentum after their 17-12 loss to Washington on Oct. 8 dropped them to 1-2 in conference play and a tie for fourth in the six-team division, 1 1/2 games behind division-leading Utah.
With the winner of today's game advancing to next Saturday's Pac-12 Football Championship Game, USC now has its hopes set on a South Division championship and a berth in the conference championship game, which seemed unlikely for the Trojans following the off-the-field drama involving
coach Steve Sarkisian, who was placed on indefinite leave on Oct. 11 amid rumors of continuing troubles with alcohol.
Sarkisian was fired a day later, with offensive coordinator Clay Helton appointed as interim coach.
USC lost a nonconference game to Notre Dame in its first game following Sarkisian's firing, but were 42-24 winners over previously undefeated Utah in its first conference game.
The Trojans also won each of their next three conference games, allowing them to remain in contention for a division championship even with last
Saturday's 48-28 loss at Oregon.
But a victory over the Bruins is anything but a given with UCLA at 3-0 against USC since Jim Mora became its coach in 2012. The victories have come over three coaches -- Lane Kiffin in 2012, Ed Orgeron in 2013 and Sarkisian in 2014.
The Bruins are seeking their first four-game winning streak over the Trojans since it won eight straight from 1991-98.
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