NFL
By George Lopez
The USC Trojans play in their final PAC-12 game as they take on their crosstown rivals UCLA Bruins at the L.A. Coliseum on Saturday. Following their 36-27 loss to the Oregon Ducks, the Trojans have lost 4 out of their last 5 games in what has been a disappointing end to their season. The Bruins have lost their past 2 games following their 17-7 defeat to Arizona St. Both teams will look to end their run in the PAC12 on a high note by defeating their top rival.
The Trojans offense, led by quarterback Caleb Williams, has put up impressive numbers this season, averaging 43 points per game. Williams has passed for 3249 yards with 29 touchdowns and only 4 interceptions. Williams has added 11 rushing touchdowns this season when escaping the pass rush or on running plays. On the season, the Trojans have rushed for an average of 151 yards per game.
The Trojans will be facing a formidable defense with UCLA. On the season, the Bruins have allowed an average of 16 points per game while holding opponents to 70 yards rushing per game. The Bruins defense will look to devise schemes to bring pressure on Caleb Williams while preventing him from escaping the pocket. Look for Trojans coach Lincoln Riley to establish the running game to loosen up the Bruins defense. RB Marshawn Lloyd and Austin Jones should factor into the Trojans offense early in the game.
Lloyd leads the Trojans, rushing for 803 yards on the season with 9 touchdowns. Austin Jones has been a good compliment to Lloyd, rushing 411 yards and 6 touchdowns. For the Trojans running game to be successful, the offensive line will need to be first off the ball and maintain their blocks while avoiding costly penalties.
Williams likes to spread the ball around to multiple receivers in the Trojans offense. His top target on the year has been Tahj Washington, who leads the team with 47 receptions for 915 yards and 6 touchdowns. Brenden Rice is 2nd on the team with 37 receptions. A surprise in terms of production has been Mario Williams. Coming into the season, Williams was expected to play a big role in the offense. Williams has been limited to 28 receptions on the season. Look for Coach Riley to get freshman Zachariah Branch involved early in the offense. Branch is a threat as a receiver and Riley has used him out of the backfield. Branch can be a mismatch for the Bruins defenders that Riley will look to exploit.
The Bruins offense, led by quarterback Dante Moore, has averaged 26 points per game. The Bruins will be facing a Trojans defense that is allowing 34 points per game. The defense has been so disappointing this season, that the Trojans dismissed defensive coordinator Alex Grinch after their loss to Washington. The Bruins average 202 yards rushing per game, led by Carson Steele, who has rushed for 745 yards. The Bruins will look to TJ Harden to complement Steele in the running game. Harden has rushed for 533 yards on the season. The Trojans give up an average of 182 rushing yards per game. Look for the Bruins offense to establish dominance at the line of scrimmage and attack the Trojans run defense.
The Trojans defense will need to do a much better job at getting off their blocks, closing running lanes and maintaining proper pursuit angles to have a chance at slowing down the Bruins rushing attack. The Trojans have been hurt all season with defenders being in the wrong position, not maintaining pursuit angles, and not tackling. The Trojans will look to contain the Bruins running game and place the offense in the hands of the Bruins freshman quarterback Moore.
Prediction
The 2023 season started off with CFP aspirations for the USC Trojans. This disappointing play of the defense this season ended all hopes of the Trojans finishing in the top 4. The Trojans will look to end the regular season on a high note by winning their final PAC12 game and defeating their bitter rivals. Look for the Trojans to come out with a high-scoring, hard-fought victory.
Trojans 45
Bruins. 41
