It’s a big deal once again

LOS ANGELES – The UCLA-Southern California football game used to be a big deal, and not just because of their intense rivalry.

That hasn’t been the case in recent years.

But it’s a big deal now – a huge deal.

No. 1 USC (11-0, 7-0 Pacific-10 Conference) needs a victory today in the 75th game of the series to assure itself a trip to the Rose Bowl, where the Trojans would have a shot at winning an unprecedented third straight national championship.

No. 11 UCLA (9-1, 6-1) can claim a share of the conference title and perhaps a Bowl Championship Series bid of its own with an upset.

The teams are meeting for the 35th time with a berth in the Rose Bowl on the line for at least one of them – but it’s the first time since 1993 the game has had that significance.

As USC coach Pete Carroll said, the game at the Los Angeles Coliseum could fill both that stadium and the Rose Bowl at the same time.

“All the hype is going to be there, everything from outside is going to be there for a great game,” USC star Reggie Bush said.

“To beat USC is the ultimate goal,” UCLA’s Drew Olson said. “More than anything else, beating SC would take this program to another level.”

That will take some doing.

The Trojans bring several significant streaks into the game, to be played before a sellout crowd of more than 90,000. They’ve won 33 consecutive games overall, 26 in a row at the Coliseum, 22 straight against Pac-10 opponents, and six in a row over UCLA.

USC’s explosive offense is the main reason the Trojans are listed as 21-point favorites.

“They know how to win, that’s why they’re winning – 33 times,” UCLA coach Karl Dorrell said. “They’ve been put up against the wall for 11 shots this season, and they’ve taken everyone’s best shot and they have one more to take with us.

“You take your hat off to what USC has been able to accomplish. It’s amazing,” Dorrell added.

The Bruins were pretty amazing themselves until an unexpected 52-14 drubbing at the hands of unheralded Arizona on Nov. 5. With Olson and Maurice Drew leading the way, they rallied from late double-digit deficits to beat Washington, Washington State, California and Stanford.

The Trojans needed second-half comebacks to win four games themselves, but only their victories over Notre Dame and Fresno State matched the drama of the Bruins’ string of late rallies.

“They have been in difficult situations a number of times where they have been well behind and come roaring back and finished games with big finishes, big plays,” Carroll said. “This is a really good group. We will have our hands full with this one.”

Both teams have struggled at times on defense this season – especially UCLA. But the Bruins have performed much better on special teams, an area of weakness for the Trojans.

The respective offenses are two of the country’s best – especially USC, which averages 571.3 yards in total offense. The Trojans’ scoring average of 48.6 points could have been higher had they not played reserves in the second half several times because of insurmountable leads.

Bush and reigning Heisman Trophy winner Matt Leinart lead the way, although USC has several other weapons.

Bush tops the country in all-purpose yardage (212.6 yards per game) and is fourth in rushing (127.1). His average of 8.6 yards per carry is also No. 1.

LenDale White averages 93.1 yards per game and 6.3 yards per carry to give the Trojans the country’s finest 1-2 rushing punch. White will play despite bruising his left shoulder in practice last Sunday, the Trojans said.

UCLA has been vulnerable against the run, allowing 219.5 yards per game to rank 115th in the country. The Bruins hope the return of linebacker Justin London, who had been out with an ankle injury, will help.

“He’s a run-stopper,” fellow UCLA linebacker Spencer Havner said. “That should give us all a lift.”

Leinart has completed 66.4 percent of his passes for 3,217 yards and 24 touchdowns with seven interceptions.

“Their offense compares to who? Ours. They’re very similar, really,” Havner said. “We need to take away their big plays.”

The Trojans could say the same thing.

Olson, superb as a senior after three mediocre seasons, has completed 67.7 percent of his passes for 2,909 yards and a school-record 30 touchdowns with only three interceptions.

“The touchdowns to the number of picks is just a remarkable number for anybody at any time,” Carroll said.

Drew, slowed the past few weeks by a sore right knee, averages 81.6 yards rushing per game and 4.8 yards per carry.

“He is awesome. He is an awesome returner – the best in the country,” Carroll said, quite a compliment since Bush has the same job for USC.

Havner expressed the opinion that Drew is an overall better running back than Bush or White.

“I’m serious about that,” Havner said. “He has the speed of Reggie and runs inside and has power like LenDale. Maurice is a better back.”

If that’s the case in this game, perhaps the Bruins have a realistic chance at a major upset.

“In respect to the game, the game can get you sometimes,” Carroll said. “I hope that day when somebody gets us, I hope we played really well on that day and we made them play great.”