UCLA vs. USC Week 12: How to Watch, Game Info, Betting Odds
The Battle for the Victory Bell has arrived, with both the Bruins and Trojans looking to solidify themselves as true contenders in the West.
WHO: UCLA vs. USC
DATE: Saturday, Nov. 19
TIME: 5:05 p.m. PT
LOCATION: Rose Bowl Stadium, Pasadena, CA
TV: FOX – Gus Johnson (play-by-play), Joel Klatt (analyst), Allison Williams (sideline)
STREAMING: fuboTV (Start your free trial)
RADIO: AM 570, Sirius Ch. 83, SXM App 83 – Josh Lewin (play-by-play), Matt Stevens (analyst), Wayne Cook (sideline reporter)
SPREAD: USC -2 (-110), UCLA +2 (-118)*
MONEY LINE: USC -133, UCLA +105*
OVER/UNDER: O 76.5 (-118), U 76.5 (-110)*
UCLA fell to No. 16 in the AP Poll and No. 16 in the USA Today Coaches Poll last Sunday, then dropped to No. 16 in the College Football Playoff rankings on Tuesday. USC, on the other hand, move up to No. 7 in the AP Poll, No. 6 in the Coaches Poll and No. 7 in the CFP.
The Bruins are 8-2 so far this season, going undefeated in nonconference play before opening Pac-12 play 3-0 and eventually falling to Oregon in Eugene. UCLA seemingly bounced back with wins over Stanford and Arizona State, but then got upset by Arizona at home in Week 11.
The Trojans are 9-1, with their only loss coming to Utah – who UCLA beat. USC cruised past Rice and Fresno State in nonconference play, and they enter Saturday on a three-game winning streak.
UCLA is averaging 39.5 points per game, which ranks 10th in the country, while allowing 26.4. The Bruins rank No. 6 in passing yards, No. 1 in rushing yards and No. 2 in total yards of offense among Pac-12 teams this season. Their defense is allowing the fourth-most passing yards in the conference and ranks seventh in turnovers forced per game under new defensive coordinator Bill McGovern, who has missed the last three games with an undisclosed illness.
Quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson has thrown for 2,385 yards, 20 touchdowns and four interceptions on 71.0% completion and a 160.1 passer rating so far in 2022. The fifth-year starter has also rushed for 462 yards and seven touchdowns. Running back Zach Charbonnet has rushed for 1,145 yards and 13 touchdowns on 7.5 yards per carry – leading Pac-12 ball-carriers in all three categories, despite missing games against Alabama State and Arizona State – to go along with 270 receiving yards on 29 catches.
Duke transfer receiver Jake Bobo has emerged as the top option in the passing game this fall, leading the way with 651 yards and six touchdowns on 43 catches, while receiver Kazmeir Allen has gone for 534 total yards and three touchdowns on 58 touches. Edge rushers Laiatu Latu and Grayson Murphy have combined for 13.0 sacks and 18.5 tackles for loss.
USC is averaging 42.4 points per game, which ranks third in the country, while allowing 24.4. The Trojans rank No. 3 in passing yards, No. 5 in rushing yards and No. 3 in total yards of offense among Pac-12 teams this season. Their defense ranks in the bottom half of the conference in both passing and rushing yards allowed, but they do force the most turnovers with 2.1 per game.
Quarterback Caleb Williams has thrived since transferring in from Oklahoma to follow coach Lincoln Riley. The dark horse Heisman Trophy candidate has 3,010 yards and 31 touchdowns through the air with just two interceptions, all on 63.7% completion with a 166.4 passer rating. Williams has also added 283 yards and six touchdowns on the ground.
Lead running back Travis Dye suffered a major leg injury against Colorado in Week 11, knocking him out for the remainder of the season while Stanford transfer Austin Jones steps up in his place. USC also has five-star freshman Raleek Brown to turn to, and the pair of backups has combined for 718 yards and seven touchdowns from scrimmage on 102 touches this season.
Reigning Belitnikoff Award winner Jordan Addison has been banged up and working his way back from injury, but he still leads the Trojans with 587 receiving yards and seven touchdowns on 40 catches. Mario Williams, Tahj Washington and Brenden Rice round out one of the best receiving corps in the nation.
Defensive lineman Tuli Tuipulotu leads the Pac-12 with 17.5 tackles for loss and 11.5 sacks, while former Alabama linebacker Shane Lee has the most tackles of any Trojan with 57. Safety Calen Bullock may lead USC with four interceptions, but it's Colorado transfer cornerback Mekhi Blackmon who leads the conference with nine passes broken up.
This marks the 90th meeting all-time between UCLA and USC, with the Trojans holding a 49-33-7 advantage heading into the weekend. The Bruins came out on top in 2021 with a runaway 62-33 victory at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, but they have not won at the Rose Bowl since 2018 and they have not won in consecutive years since 2012 to 2014.
Coach Chip Kelly is .500 against USC since arriving in Westwood, just as his predecessor Jim Mora was from 2012 to 2017.
*Odds via SI Sportsbook
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