Southern California @ UCLA preview
Rose Bowl
Last Meeting ( Nov 28, 2009 ) UCLA 7, Southern California 28
Don’t tell Matt Barkley that Saturday’s game against rival UCLA is meaningless.
It means plenty to him.
Barkley returned to practice Tuesday after missing last week’s loss to Notre Dame with a high ankle sprain and hopes to be under center when Southern California faces UCLA at the Rose Bowl on Saturday night.
The game, which typically has huge and even national title implications, has no bearing on the postseason.
"I think he's going to play because I think if it's anywhere close, he's just going to make himself play, regardless," USC coach Lane Kiffin said of Barkley.
A sophomore, Barkley has completed 63 percent of his passes for 2,593 yards and 25 touchdowns this season. He has thrown 10 interceptions. Last season, he was the first true freshman to start a season opener at quarterback for USC.
Backup Mitch Mustain went 20 for 37 passes for 177 yards and an interception in the 20-17 loss against Notre Dame. He did have a pass dropped late in the game that would have put the Trojans ahead.
This is the first game in the series since 2000 when neither team is ranked. And neither has a chance at playing in the postseason. USC (7-5, 4-4 Pac-10) is ineligible because of NCAA violations and UCLA (4-7, 2-6) can’t get enough wins to become bowl eligible.
The Trojans have dominated the series against the Bruins, winning 10 of the last 11 meetings.
Last year’s 28-7 decision has not been forgotten by several members of the Bruins.
With just over a minute to play and USC in possession, UCLA coach Rich Neuheisel exhausted his timeouts. Barkley and the Trojans, seemingly annoyed by the useless timeouts to extend the contest, opted to throw a 48-yard touchdown pass instead of just kneeling on the ball.
USC players danced on the sidelines after the score while the entire UCLA bench walked to midfield seething mad and ready to brawl. While there was no fight, the Bruins were incensed heading off the field.
UCLA last beat USC 13-9 in 2006. After the game the Bruins felt that the balance of power in Los Angeles had shifted. That hasn’t been the case.
The Trojans remain by far the more talented team, evidenced by the fact that 33 Trojans have been drafted by the NFL while only seven Bruins have been selected since that win.
Things haven’t been any better this year. UCLA has lost five of its past six games, including a 55-34 setback at Arizona State on Nov. 26.
Quarterback Richard Brehaut, coming off a three-touchdown, 321-yard performance, is filling in for injured starter Kevin Prince. He directs the Pistol offense which features tailbacks Johnathan Franklin (1,018 yards) and Derrick Coleman (462 yards).
If the game comes down to a late kick, the Bruins have the advantage. Kai Forbath, the 2009 Groza Award winner, has 85 career field goal and needs two more to set the NCAA record.
Both teams will wear their home uniforms. It is just the seventh night game in the 80-year history of the series.