UCLA @ USC preview

Last Meeting ( Nov 22, 2014 ) Southern California 20, UCLA 38

One of the biggest rivalries in college football offers significant meaning beyond the fan base for one of the few times in recent years when USC hosts No. 23 UCLA in a Pac-12 game Saturday at the Los Angeles Coliseum. The winner clinches the conference's South Division, setting up meeting with North Division winner Stanford for the Pac-12 crown, while the loser can expect a low-profile bowl invitation.

The Trojans have never defeated UCLA since Jim Mora took over as coach of the Bruins in 2012 and they haven't really come close, losing every game by double digits. USC should get a lift with the return of running back Tre Madden, who missed the last three games with a knee injury and will compliment fellow ball carriers Ronald Jones II and Justin Davis. The Trojans are also expected to welcome back offensive guard Viane Talamaivao (knee) and safety Marvell Tell. Getting pressure on USC quarterback Cody Kessler will be key for UCLA, which figures to take advantage of a Trojans' offensive line that ranks 102nd in the nation in sacks allowed.

TV: 3:30 p.m. ET, ABC. LINE: USC -3.5

ABOUT UCLA (8-3, 5-3 Pac-12): The Bruins shoot for their second Pac-12 championship appearance under Mora and third overall since the creation of the game in 2011. UCLA will likely need to win a shootout against the Trojans as its defense comes in ranked No. 61 in the NCAA in yards surrendered per game at 392 and USC isn't much better. Limiting penalties will also be important, but the Bruins have done a poor job of that this season, entering this contest ranked 121st among the 127 FBS teams in the nation at 75.5 penalty yards per game.

ABOUT USC (7-4, 5-3): One thing's for certain: The Trojans will have the best wide receiver on the field in Juju Smith-Schuster, who has caught 68 passes this season for 1,218 yards and 10 touchdowns. He put a scare in the USC faithful when he went down while running a route last week against Oregon and was clutching his leg, but avoided serious injury and returned to finish with five catches for 57 yards. Darreus Rogers once seemed destined to join the long list of great receivers for the Trojans, but the junior has five receptions or more only four times in his career, most recently last week against the Ducks.

EXTRA POINTS

1. USC TE Taylor McNamara has eight receptions this season, including three for touchdowns.

2. USC has owned more time of possession than its opponent five times this season - all since Clay Helton took over as interim coach in the sixth game of the season.

3. UCLA has won nine of its last 10 conference road games and 11 of its last 12 road games overall.

PREDICTION: UCLA 45, USC 35