Inside the Matchup: UCLA vs. USC Jonathan Kahn

Redshirt junior Eddie Vanderdoes is also among those listed to be honored, although he could still return next season for his fifth year of eligibility.

Honestly, though, with UCLA’s lost season being reduced to one meaningful game, it was hard to accept Jim Mora’s claim that playing USC wasn’t a chance to salvage something amid all the disappointment.

USC’s wide receiver De’Quan Hampton salutes the band after a cross-town rivalry PAC-12 football game with UCLA at the Rose Bowl Saturday, November 19, 2016, Pasadena, CA.

A loss and wins by USC (over crosstown rival UCLA) and Utah (home game against Oregon) would end the Buffaloes’ chances for a South title. Darnold has replaced him as the L.A. star. The six false starts that plagued the Trojans in their early-season loss at Stanford could be overcome today with Darnold’s talent.

USC still needs help to win the Pac-12 South. Darnold is eighth nationally in passer rating with a rating of 165.8. Two days after USC’s 40-21 victory, Clay Helton was named the permanent head coach.

“They did move some people off the line; we didn’t give up any sacks”, Mora said. “When you’re making them miss, the opportunities are there”. “I think our guys do a great job rallying for themselves”. So, they got rewarded for it.

Jim L. Mora, who engineered UCLA’s first losing record since 2011, is on the hot seat according to CampusInsiders.com and Coacheshotseat.com. There was a 56-yard touchdown pass from Mike Fafaul to Jordan Lasley and a trick play, a double pass that went for 30 yards from Lasley to running back Brandon Stephens. Fafaul has thrown the ball almost 47 times a game but last week the running game resurfaced when the Bruins gained 163 yards on the ground.

“Rather than to be chastised and brought down because of the record, they deserve a lot of praise for what they’ve done over the years here”, Mora said.

USC might not be considered an underdog against too many teams outside the top five with its current form. The Trojans held Washington quarterback Jake Browning to 17-of-36 passing with a pair of interceptions by cornerback Adoree’ Jackson.

The Trojans have a plethora of receivers to fill in should he have an extended absence, but none are as impact as JuJu.

Fafaul has had none of that. While the game was close early, USC seized control late in the second quarter and never relinquished. He joked last week about hoping that everyone would forget his birthday, that, at his age, there’s really no desire in keeping count anymore.

It won’t be easy. OR is bad, but the Ducks’ offense is still good, and USC held UO to 20 points two weeks ago.

USC showed it has turned into the team so many felt it could be this season with an impressive 26-13 win at then-No. The Trojans are also solid against the run, surrendering only 139.5 yards per game, which is good for 37th in the nation.

The upcoming matchup could be another big victory for the streaking Trojans. Two of USC’s victories were taken away with the Reggie Bush debacle, but last year’s match-up wasn’t.