USC, UCLA Position Groups Honored for Strong First Halves of Season

USC, UCLA Position Groups Honored for Strong First Halves of Season

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USC, UCLA Position Groups Honored for Strong First Halves of Season

The Joe Moore Award included USC and UCLA in their selection of the 25 best offensive lines in college football for their 2026 Joe Moore Award Midseason Honor Roll.

“The Joe Moore Award doesn’t grade stats, stars or recruiting rankings; it recognizes offensive lines that play the game the right way,” said Joe Moore award Aaron Taylor. “To varying degrees, all 25 of these units have shown toughness, effort, teamwork, consistency, technique and finishing. That makes this the starting line, not the finish line. The bar rises fast from here toward the standard set by the best to ever coach the position.”

Both USC and UCLA are off to great starts to the 2026 season, and their offensive lines are a huge part in that success. USC currently has a 6-1 record and rank No. 19 in the country, while UCLA are off to a perfect 5-0 start and rank No. 12.

Who Else Did the Joe Moore Award Recognize?

Below is the complete list of teams the Joe Moore Award recognized for their 2026 Joe Moore Award Midseason Honor Roll

  • Alabama
  • Army
  • Boise St.
  • BYU
  • Duke
  • Florida
  • Georgia
  • Houston
  • Indiana
  • Iowa
  • Kansas State
  • Kentucky
  • Miami
  • Missouri
  • New Mexico
  • Notre Dame
  • Ohio State
  • Oregon State
  • South Alabama
  • Tennessee
  • UCLA
  • USC
  • Utah
  • UTSA
  • West Virginia
Nov 29, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Helmets at the line of scrimmage as Southern California Trojans offensive lineman J'Onre Reed (50) snaps the ball against the UCLA Bruins in the second half at United Airlines Field at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Nov 29, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Helmets at the line of scrimmage as Southern California Trojans offensive lineman J’Onre Reed (50) snaps the ball against the UCLA Bruins in the second half at United Airlines Field at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

How Have USC and UCLA’s Offensive Lines Performed This Year?

USC’s offensive line has been impressive through their seven games, allowing just seven sacks so far this season for losses of 46 yards. Their run game is thriving as a result of their strong play, as they’re averaging 152.3 yards on the ground and 4.3 yards per carry on the season.

UCLA doesn’t have as good a record when it comes to sacks allowed, allowing eight over five games for 58 lost yards, but their rushing game is far better thus far, as they average 253.2 yards per game and 6.1 per carry.

“I like them,” NFL Draft analyst Lance Zierlein said of UCLA. “There are issues there that still need to be corrected, and it is very bumpy, but I do love the attitude that they play with. When they get their chance to finish—if you have one misstep and you’re on the wrong foot they love to bury you in the turf and let you feel it and let you hear about it.

“I kind of like the attitude that Chesney and that entire team is playing with and bringing to the field every week for UCLA.”

Both USC and UCLA are off to fantastic starts to the year, and their offensive lines will be a key position group for the remainder of the season as they eye spots in the College Football Playoff.

The post USC, UCLA Position Groups Honored for Strong First Halves of Season appeared first on LA Sports Report.

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