National and Pac-12 football experts make predictions on USC-UCLA showdown
If the USC-UCLA showdown was a week ago, it would have been even more hyped up as one of the best games on the college football slate. However, USC defeated Colorado and lost star running back Travis Dye and might not have star LB Eric Gentry available.
On the other side, Chip Kelly and the Bruins were stunned after Jayden de Laura and the Arizona Wildcats got the victory, ruining a chance at a top-10 matchup.
There are wavering opinions with this game coming up, and here are some predictions from a few college football experts. Will USC keep its terrific season alive? Or will UCLA respond after an ugly loss?
LA TIMES: THUC NHI NGUYEN: UCLA
Nguyen has UCLA and here’s why:
I expect UCLA will punch its way back into the Pac-12 race in this must-win situation. The Bruins are going to be playing with desperation the same way Utah was when the Utes knocked off USC in Salt Lake City.
LA TIMES: RYAN KARTJE: UCLA
Kartje also has UCLA getting the victory, and Zach Charbonnet is a huge reason why.
I just don’t see the Trojans’ defense slowing down Zach Charbonnet or forcing enough mistakes out of Dorian Thompson-Robinson. These two teams are about as evenly matched as they come, and the first team to force the other to punt a second time may very well win it. Give me UCLA in a barnburner, 48-42.
LA TIMES: BRADY MCCOLLOUGH: UCLA
Once again, another UCLA pick.
This is going to be a great game, and for simplicity’s sake, I’ll stick with my original intuition. UCLA finds a way.
LA TIMES: BEN BOLCH: UCLA
Well, all four Los Angeles Times writers have UCLA getting the victory.
Thompson-Robinson isn’t going to end his college career with two consecutive home losses. He’ll hurdle Traveler if he has to on the way to engineering another storybook UCLA victory in the rivalry. Bruins win, 52-48.
LA TIMES: BILL PLASCHKE: UCLA
Plaschke also has UCLA getting the win.
SPORTING NEWS: BILL BENDER: USC
Finally! Bill Bender has USC winning the game by a field goal in a 35-32 showdown in Los Angeles.
247SPORTS: BRAD CRAWFORD: TROJANS
USC 38, UCLA 35.
247SPORTS: CHRIS HUMMER: UCLA
Hummer has the Bruins winning, 42-38.
BLEACHER REPORT: MORGAN MORIARTY: USC
USC wins by a field goal.
COLLEGE FOOTBALL NEWS: USC
The consensus is in: USC!
ESPN: KEVIN GEMMELL: USC
USC wins by a field goal, 38-35.
ESPN: TED MILLER: USC
USC wins this, 35-31.
ATHLON SPORTS: USC
All three writers picked the Trojans to win.
JON WILNER, WILNER HOTLINE: USC
“Our revised projections call for the Utes to beat Oregon, demolish Colorado and take care of USC in the conference championship. Once again, they are peaking at just the right time.” @wilnerhotline https://t.co/OeCAVh2Id4
— KSL.com Sports (@KSLcomSports) November 15, 2022
