USC vs. UCLA Prediction: Rose Bowl Set to Host Crosstown Rivalry Matchup Rife with Pac-12 Implications

UCLA hosts USC on Saturday night. The game has a lot on the line for both teams. UCLA needs to win to have any chance of playing for the Pac-12 title. USC has won nine games in a row and is a contender for a spot in the College Football Playoff. Chip Kelly's team has improved since last season. The Bruins lost to Oregon on October 22. They lost at Arizona last week. USC has beaten Colorado, Arizona State and Stanford. It has also won over Washington State, Utah and Washington.

USC vs. UCLA is a Crosstown Rivalry Matchup.

USC has the No. 1 scoring offense in the Pac-12 and is tied for first in yards per play (7.2). The team is also tied with first place in plays of 40-plus yards (15). Caleb Williams is among the favorites to win the Heisman Trophy. UCLA's defense is struggling and has allowed 102 completions of 10-or-more yards this season. The Bruins rank fifth in Pac 12 with 25 sacks and fifth with 51 tackles for a loss. Travis Dye is out for the season with a season-ending injury. He played a key role in pass protection.

UCLA and USC are playing a rivalry game at the Rose Bowl on Saturday. UCLA's offense is averaging 39.5 points a game and 7.2 yards per snap. USC's defense is focusing on stopping the run and getting UCLA into passing downs. USC has 20 takeaways this season. The team's secondary ranks fourth in the Pac-12 in pass efficiency defense. It has allowed just 13 passing scores through 10 games. California (406 yards), Utah (424), and Arizona (380) have scored more than 400 yards through the air this year.

The Rose Bowl features a big game with implications for the Pac-12 title and College Football Playoff. The game is expected to be close and the last team with the ball might win.