USC/UCLA Rivalry Still Strong

Last night, some USC backers slipped on to the UCLA campus in Westwood and splashed cardinal and gold paint all over the bruin statue (despite the fact it was under a protective tarp). Now at the USC campus, students are standing guard around the Tommy Trojan statue to prevent retaliation.

Nationally, the prestige for this year’s clash between USC and UCLA has slipped, and it has been that way for a few years. The bottom line is this year’s Battle for Los Angeles is being played at 7 p.m. (well past when anyone east of the Mississippi River is still awake and watching football) and it is being broadcast on the regional Fox Sports network. No ABC or ESPN, it’s the little guys this year. ESPN is actually focusing on the Civil War between Oregon and Oregon State — which is essentially a battle for the Rose Bowl — and has been moved to Thursday night (Dec. 3).

Used to be a time when almost every year USC vs. UCLA meant a Rose Bowl berth to the winner. But in recent years it has been all about how big a bowl USC was headed toward and if UCLA could spoil it. This year it’s not even that, both schools are likely headed to minor bowls.

But that doesn’t mean on the campuses this isn’t still THE rivalry. In offices throughout Southern California, co-workers are making bets on which one of their alma maters will get the win. Although paying off bet itself is not the hard part for the loser, it’s the 12 months of taunts that follow.

The passion between these two schools does not dissipate just because the chance to play Jan. 1 is not on the line. There is no rivalry like this in America — two premier universities that share the same city and fight over the same fan base. Where alumni and fans of the two schools live on the same block and whose kids go to school together, brining with them red or blue backpacks.

Saturday night, all of them will be tuned in. Doesn’t matter what number it is on the cable box, doesn’t matter what time. UCLA and USC fans will find it and be into the game.

This is still the Battle for Los Angeles.