Game Prediction: #7 USC Trojans at #16 UCLA Bruins

The biggest game of the weekend is out West as the No. 7 USC Trojans (9-1) head across town to take on the No. 16 UCLA Bruins (8-2). USC has won three in a row and has an extra day of rest against a Bruin squad that was outplayed last week during an upset loss to Arizona.

UCLA will look to rebound and stay in the Pac 12 title race, but the Trojans can clinch their spot in the title game with a victory. There hasn't been this much on the line in this rivalry in a very long time.

Where: Rose Bowl (Pasadena, Calif.)
When: 8:00 PM ET
Network: Fox
Line: USC -2.5, O/U 76

IB has broken down the game and now it's time to make our predictions.

BRYAN DRISKELL, PUBLISHER

Prediction: USC 37, UCLA 31

I would love to pick UCLA in this game and I wouldn't be the least bit surprised to see the Bruins win. USC dominated Colorado, but the Buffaloes are just not good. In the three previous games the Trojans beat California by just six, Arizona by eight and lost to Utah. So there is no question that UCLA is capable of beating the Trojans, and USC hasn't faced a team this physical all season.

So why am I picking USC? Well, it's simple .... Caleb Williams. I've watched UCLA struggle with Jayden de Laura (Arizona), Trenton Bourguet (Arizona State) and Bo Nix (Oregon) in three of their last four games. With all due respect to those quarterbacks, especially Nix, they aren't Williams and none of those teams have the skill talent the Trojans will put on the field, even without Travis Dye.

UCLA's only chance is to dominate the Trojans in the trenches on both sides of the ball. I fully expect UCLA to run the ball well, but it's the other side that has been inconsistent. Making USC one-dimensional and then getting pressure on Williams is the key, but in the end I think the skill talent for the Trojans and the talents of Williams will win the day.

RYAN ROBERTS, DIRECTOR OF RECRUITING

Prediction: USC 41, UCLA 38

This is a shootout waiting to happen in Southern California. With two potent offenses and inconsistent defenses, it’ll come down to whichever talented quarterback can make a play last.

Caleb Williams has been very good in his first season at USC and has had a level of consistency that Dorian Thompson-Robinson has struggled with in his career. That’s the difference in the football game, the final possession in crunch time.

VINCE DEDARIO, FOOTBALL ANALYST

Prediction: USC 41, UCLA 35

This is a hard one for me because my gut goes one way and my heart goes another. On one hand I want USC to win so that when Notre Dame faces them next week they have the opportunity to knock them off their pedestal. On the other hand, I think USC struggles with physical football teams and that is exactly what UCLA is at this point in the season.

I would in no way be surprised if UCLA knocked off the Trojans and there is a part of me that would be super happy since I love when they lose. At the end of the day I am picking USC to win because they can flat out score even though I think UCLA is better top to bottom.

SHAUN DAVIS, RECRUITING ANALYST

Prediction: USC 45, UCLA 40

Travis Dye has been the anchor and balance to the explosive USC offense all year with over 800 yards on the ground. Without him, Caleb Williams bears tremendous weight for the Trojans’ offense heading into this matchup. Meanwhile, Dorian Thompson-Robinson has Zach Charbonnet and a dynamic running game as support with the Pac 12 Championship Game berth on the line. The Bruins want to pound an already thin USC defensive line and limit the opportunities for Williams and his wide receivers. Which defense will be able to get the most stops? That will ultimately decide this matchup.

SEAN STIRES, STAFF WRITER

Prediction: USC 45, UCLA 41

UCLA was shocked in its loss to Arizona last week, but USC has kept trucking since its only loss to Utah a month ago. UCLA will be the far more physical team, but do they have enough firepower to top the Trojans?

ANDREW McDONOUGH, IB CONTRIBUTOR

Prediction: USC 45, UCLA 42

This game really could go either way as these two teams are very evenly matched. Both teams have strong offenses and average defenses, with the Bruins leading the Pac-12 in rushing and the Trojans ranking third in the conference in passing at over 316 YPG. Both teams have solid special teams, convert over 50% of their third down conversions, protect the quarterback, and are explosive offensively - USC has 68 plays for 20+ yards while UCLA has 67, good for first and second in the conference.

In the end, though, this game will come down to three things that favor the Trojans in a close matchup. First, as much as I like Dorian Thompson-Robinson, USC QB Caleb Williams will be the best player on the field. Second, when teams get into the red zone against the Bruins, they score - UCLA ranks last in the Pac-12 in opponent red zone conversions while the Trojans lead the conference in red zone TD percentage. Finally, USC has an absurd +17 turnover margin on the year. The Trojans have only turned the ball over 3 times on the season and their ability to take care of the ball will allow them to steal a possession and pull out a close win.

IB STAFF STANDINGS

Bryan - 39-13
Ryan - 36-16
Vince - 34-18
Shaun - 32-20
Sean - 31-21
Andrew - 30-22

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