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Here Come The UCLA Bruins In A City Truly Divided

By Evan Budrovich
Casey Sapio-USA TODAY Sports

What makes this rivalry such the spectacle is the competitive nature of both universities that shines brightest in the 364 days leading up to their clash on the gridiron.

While news breaks that UCLA will once again wear its home jerseys at the Coliseum, we now take a step back and dive into some of the best rivalry moments that take place even before opening kickoff.

"It's always a big matchup, a big rivalry, big atmosphere and it's one of the biggest rivalries in all of college football," said USC interim head coach Ed Orgeron.

The Trojans enter the game winners of five straight, the Bruins just lost their biggest game of the year for postseason sake yet if you asked either squad, Saturday's clash will obviously have plenty on the line.

Even the Spirit of Troy are being called out this week by the UCLA marching band. It may drive others crazy, but the Fight On music scintillates the home crowd each and every week for USC football.

Interesting to note for this week, USC has a 9-12 record in games in which the Bruins are ranked higher in the AP Poll, but that will not detour its preparations this week to defend home turf.

Plenty of pride will be on the line not only from the volleyball courts on Wednesday and the football field on Saturday, but also the exciting extra-curricular antics that make this rivalry so unique to Los Angeles.

VICTORY BELL

Originally given to UCLA in 1939 as a gift from the UCLA Alumni Association, several USC students took the bell in 1941 and hid it in a variety of locations for more than a year. Since the bell became a trophy held by the winner of the annual football game, its carriage has been painted cardinal 41 times while in USC's possession and blue 29 times for the UCLA Bruins.

USC/UCLA CONNECTIONS

  • Abe Markowitz's father, Barry, lettered as a linebacker at UCLA in 1974 while his great grandfather, Richard Love, played basketball and tennis at UCLA in the 1920s and his cousin Frank Manumaleuga played football at UCLA in 1974.
  • Jim Mora's father received a master's degree from USC and his mother also graduated wearing cardinal and gold.
  • USC assistant men's volleyball coach Jeff Nygaard was a three-time (1993-95) All-American and two-time National Player of the Year at UCLA.
  • UCLA baseball coach John Savage, who led UCLA to the 2013 National Championship, was USC's pitching coach from 1996 to 2000, most noted by the 1998 USC National Championship squad.

LOCK-DOWN DEFENSE

The festivities wear on as the Trojans Knights continue their efforts to protect the campus' most sacred icons, including John McKay's Statue, the Trojan Sword and of course Tommy Trojan.

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