GAME NOTES: The eighth-ranked USC Trojans and UCLA Bruins meet in one of college football's greatest rivalries, as the two teams close out their regular seasons against one another in the Coliseum this weekend. The Trojans are seeking their unprecedented sixth-consecutive Pac-10 title and will clinch at least a share of it, along with a Rose Bowl berth with a win over the Bruins. Pete Carroll's team is 9-2 on the season and has moved into a tie with Arizona State atop the conference standings thanks to three straight wins, including a 44-24 pasting of Sun Devils in Tempe on Thanksgiving. The Bruins had dropped three straight games from October 27th to November 10th, but a win last week against Oregon (16-0) surprisingly leaves UCLA with a chance to win a share of the Pac-10 crown as well. Karl Dorrell's squad can finish in a tie for first in the conference and pick up the Rose Bowl berth with a win over USC coupled with an Arizona State loss to Arizona. It will be the 36th time in the history of this series that a Rose Bowl berth is on the line. The Trojans lead the all-time series with their crosstown rivals by a count of 41-28-7. USC had won seven straight meetings until UCLA finally ended that last season with a 13-9 decision in Pasadena.

The Bruins are not an overly explosive offensive unit, due in large part to the team's revolving door under center. Due to injuries this year, a number of QBs have taken their turn running the show. TGhe best of the bunch has been junior Ben Olson, who has completed 50 percent of his passes, for 1,040 yards, with seven TDs and six interceptions. Fellow junior Patrick Cowan (530 yards, three TDs), sophomore Osaar Rasshan (259 yards) and freshman McLeod Bethel- Thompson (139 yards) have also had their chances. Regardless of who is under center, the top target downfield is always Brandon Breazell, who leads the team in receptions (43) and receiving yards (713). The passing attack, which generates 187.6 yards per game is aided by a solid ground assault (162.6 ypg). An injury to leading rusher Kahlil Bell (99.4 ypg) has limited him to just eight games this year, allowing Chris Markey (549 yards, three TDs) to take a more prominent role in the backfield.

The Bruins have done a nice job on the defensive side of the ball, but really too it to another level last week in shutting out the explosive Ducks. This is a unit that has made its fair share of big plays, recording 23 takeaways and an impressive 35 sacks. Senior rush end Bruce Davis has been one of the Pac-10's top linemen this season and has been a disruptive force in opposing backfields. Of his 33 total tackles, 10.5 have come behind the line of scrimmage, including a team-high 9.5 sacks. Senior free safety Dennis Keyes highlights the play in a very active secondary. Keyes currently leads the team in tackle (87), with 2.0 TFLs and three INTs. Cornerbacks Al Verner (63 tackles, four INTs) and Trey Brown (53 tackles, four INTs, two fumble recoveries) have been productive as well.

QB John David Booty came up huge in the biggest game of the season, as he threw four TD passes and ran four another score, leading the Trojans to a lopsided win over Arizona State last week and putting the team in a position to capture yet another conference crown. Booty had not lived up to the preseason Heisman hype thrust on him, but he hasn't been bad either, completing just over 63 percent of his passes, for 1,900 yards with 19 TDs. The team lacks star power in the receiving corps, but TE Fred Davis (team-high 49 receptions, for 753 yards and six TDs) may be the best at his position in the country. The ground game has been steady all year, accounting for 180.8 yards per game. Senior RB Chauncey Washington (4.9 ypc, eight TDs), sophomore RB Stafon Johnson (6.7 ypc, five TDs) and freshman Joe McKnight (4.6 ypc, one TD) have all been productive.

A great deal of USC's success this year can be attributed to the play of the defense. The Trojans have one of the top defensive squads in the country, ranking fourth in rush defense (85.3 ypg), sixth in scoring defense (16.7 ppg) and second in total defense (267.1 ypg). With 36 sacks on the season, this team likes to get upfield and make plays as well. With four sacks in the win over Arizona State last week, rush end Lawrence Jackson now leads the team in sacks (9.5), as well as TFLs (13.0). All-American candidate Sedrick Ellis is not far behind in either category, posting 12.5 TFLs and 8.5 sacks from his tackle position. Other playmakers of note on the defense include LBs Keith Rivers (team-high 70 tackles) and Rey Maualuga (67 tackles, three sacks) and DBs Taylor Mays (59 tackles, one INT), Kevin Ellison (50 tackles, two sacks, two INTs) and Terrell Thomas (37 tackles, three INTs).

The Bruins won a big game last week against Oregon, but they will get a USC squad at full strength and a conference crown within grasp. The Trojans are the more experienced team in critical games and that, along with a deep talent pool should sway the outcome in their favor.

Sports Network Predicted Outcome: USC 31, UCLA 17