This is Los Angeles’ most storied, and heated rivalry. Every year, USC and UCLA meet up for an unpredictable and often surprisingly close game — the Battle for Los Angeles. Bragging rights, so-called ‘Number One’ rights and even best looking cheerleaders somehow gets decided by the score of this game in November. In my own family, it makes for a lively argument each Thanksgiving and this year is no different. Or is it? This year, USC, which had begun the season as a top ranked team, has been brought back to earth with upsets from Stanford and Oregon, knocking them out of BCS title and Rosebowl contention. UCLA conversely had been the underdog (”a transition year” is how it’s been described) and in recent weeks pulled out wins again Washington and Arizona State. Still, neither team has been on such a streak that the winner of Saturday’s matchup is an obvious choice. In fact, neither of them are guaranteed any bowl bids… None. Most surprising for USC, who have been the most winning of the two teams traditionally. So, this year, the only bowl-type battle that either of these teams might see is each other. Personally, I think that both teams have been unfairly lumped into the mediocre category far too quickly. Oregon, for instance, is a formidable team that beat both these teams, yet would also probably be a good match for any BCS candidate. Basically, the Pac 10 is too good to be overlooked, especially this year. And methinks Florida is a wee bit overrated. Regardless, no matter what the Saturday plans, you know that folks nationwide will be checking for the outcome of this one. It will be a fight to the death.

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