USC vs UCLA football game becomes more intriguing as Bruins rise
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The 2026 football game between USC and UCLA is taking on added dimensions now that the Bruins are off to an unbeaten start through Week 6. Lincoln Riley versus Bob Chesney could be must-see TV. It will be if the Trojans and Bruins are both in playoff contention heading into The Battle of Los Angeles this November.
UCLA Wire editor Dylan McNeill wrote to us after USC's win over Penn State:
"Week 6 was a step in the right direction for the Lincoln Riley and the USC Trojans," McNeill told us. "A 31-23 win over a struggling Penn State team won’t put USC back on a CFP trajectory, but it was important for the Trojans to bounce-back after the disappointment against Oregon with wins over Washington and Penn State. How much confidence should a four-point win over Washington and an eight-point win over Penn State generate? Not a ton. With that being said, both are capable Big Ten programs. USC didn’t let the White Out crowd phase them, with Jayden Maiava delivering another quality showing. Maiava isn’t what makes us question USC, it’s the Trojan defense. The defense allowed 23 points and 357 yards of offense. USC limited Penn State on the ground (just 68 rushing yards) but Saturday’s win didn’t change the overall outlook of Riley’s USC program."
USC has the better offense compared to UCLA, especially since Nico Iamaleava is out for the rest of the season. UCLA has the much better defense, as shown by its tremendous performance at Oregon. USC gave up 41 points to the Ducks, a sharp contrast with the Bruins.
USC versus UCLA is several weeks away, and yet it's hard to avoid thinking about that matchup in mid-October.
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This article originally appeared on Trojans Wire: USC vs UCLA football game becomes more intriguing as Bruins rise
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