The annual Battle for the Victory Bell, one of college football’s most storied rivalries, takes center stage on Saturday as the UCLA Bruins (3-8, 3-5 Big Ten) travel across town to face the No. 19 USC Trojans (8-3, 6-2 Big Ten). This 95th meeting pits a rebuilding UCLA squad under interim coach Tim Skipper against a USC team eyeing a strong bowl finish after playoff hopes faded. While USC enters as heavy favorites, the crosstown intensity often defies expectations—expect fireworks, tradition, and a dash of chaos under the Coliseum lights.
Venue Location
The game will be played at the historic Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, California. Home to USC since 1923, this iconic venue has hosted two Olympics, multiple Super Bowls, and countless Trojans triumphs. Capacity: 77,500. It’s a short 10-mile drive from UCLA’s Westwood campus, ensuring a packed house of divided loyalties.
Kickoff: 4:30 p.m. PT (7:30 p.m. ET)
Broadcast: NBC (primary), with streaming on Peacock. Radio: USC’s 790 KABC; UCLA’s 790 AM (UCLA Bruins Audio Network).
Weather Updates
Los Angeles in late November typically delivers mild, sunny conditions ideal for football. Forecast for game day calls for partly cloudy skies with highs around 72°F (22°C) and lows near 56°F (13°C). Winds: Light at 5-10 mph from the west, with 0% chance of precipitation. No rain in the extended outlook, though coastal fog could linger pre-game. These balmy temps favor USC’s up-tempo offense, but the dry field should allow for clean footing—no excuses for turnovers.
Injury Report
Both teams have battled nagging injuries, but UCLA’s depth chart is thinner heading into rivalry week. USC’s staff has managed theirs well, though the secondary took hits recently.
UCLA Bruins:
| Player | Position | Status | Injury Details | Impact |
| Nico Iamaleava | QB | Questionable | Knee/concussion (exited early vs. Washington; limited practice reps) | Massive blow if out—leads team in passing (2,100+ yds, 15 TDs) and rushing (400+ yds). Backup Ethan Garbers is 1-4 as starter. |
| Anthony Woods | RB | Probable | Lower body (labored vs. Michigan State) | Key rotational back (450 rush yds); could force more carries for Jalen Berger. |
| Anthony Frias II | RB | Probable | Lower body (similar to Woods) | Depth piece; Bruins’ run game already ranks 117th nationally. |
| Rico Flores Jr. | WR | Available | ACL (returned two games ago) | Emerging target (25 rec, 350 yds); adds speed post-injury. |
Overall: 18 players listed as out or limited earlier in the season, per Big Ten reports. The offensive line has shuffled with multiple tweaks, contributing to UCLA’s 123rd-ranked scoring offense (18.9 PPG).
USC Trojans:
| Player | Position | Status | Injury Details | Impact |
| Kamari Ramsey | S | Out | Lower body (injured vs. Iowa; season-ending?) | 27 tackles, 2 PBUs; secondary depth tested, but backups like Christian Pierce stepped up (key stops vs. Iowa). |
| Bishop Fitzgerald | S | Out | Undisclosed (first half vs. Iowa) | Starting safety; forces freshmen like Kennedy Urlacher into bigger roles. |
| Waymond Jordan | RB | Out | Knee (missed last three games) | 576 rush yds, 5 TDs; duo of King Miller (749 yds) and Bryan Jackson handles load. |
| Eli Sanders | RB | Out | Lower body | Depth back; no major ripple with Miller’s emergence. |
| Jamaal Jarrett | DT | Out for season | Undisclosed | Rotational DL; front seven remains stout (70th vs. rush). |
| Alani Noa | OL | Questionable | Concussion | Started vs. Nebraska; Elijah Paige (back from injury) ready if needed. USC has used 12 OL combos this year. |
Overall: USC’s “next-man-up” mentality shines—losses haven’t derailed their 9th-ranked offense. Defensive coordinator D’Anton Lynn (ex-UCLA) has masked secondary woes with scheme.
Player Matchups
This game’s intrigue lies in explosive individual battles. USC’s athleticism should overwhelm, but UCLA’s grit could spark moments.
UCLA QB Nico Iamaleava vs. USC Secondary (Kamari Ramsey/Bishop Fitzgerald out): If Iamaleava plays (questionable), his dual-threat elusiveness (leads Bruins in rush yds) tests USC’s banged-up back end. Freshman DBs like Marcellus Williams (36 tackles) must contain—USC allows 23.5 PPG but ranks 42nd in pass efficiency defense. Edge: USC if Iamaleava’s limited; dual-threat QBs have rushed for 100+ yds in 2 of UCLA’s wins.
USC WR Makai Lemon vs. UCLA CB Rodrick Pleasant: Biletnikoff finalist Lemon (1,124 yds, 10 TDs) is USC’s X-factor—90.8 PFF grade. Pleasant (top-100 recruit, 4-star) shadows top WRs with elite speed (10.16 100m). UCLA’s secondary is a “bright spot” amid rebuild, but Lemon’s YAC ability exploits their 97th-ranked pass defense. Edge: Lemon—UCLA allows 320.9 pass yds/game.
UCLA RB Jalen Berger vs. USC Front Seven: Berger (three TDs vs. Michigan State) anchors a three-headed rush attack (Berger/Woods/Thomas). USC’s DL (led by Keeshawn Silver) ranks 70th vs. run but vulnerable to 170+ yd games (2-3 record). UCLA’s three wins came on 170+ rush yds. Edge: USC—Bruins average 3.6 YPC.
USC QB Jayden Maiava vs. UCLA Pass Rush: Maiava (3,174 pass yds, 21 TDs; 140 rush yds, 6 TDs) thrives in rhythm. UCLA’s front (131st in havoc rate) pressures on just 2.9% of dropbacks—perfect for Maiava’s mobility. Edge: Maiava—expect 300+ total yds.
UCLA: Only three wins (Michigan State, Fresno State, Rutgers)—all as underdogs. Tough slate (No. 2 SOS) included losses to No. 1 Ohio State, No. 8 Indiana.
USC: Exceeded 7.5 win total; peaked at No. 15 in CFP rankings. Wins over Michigan, Iowa highlight physical growth.
Recent Team Forms
UCLA: Interim coach Skipper (ex-DC) sparked a midseason surge—UCLA is the third Big Ten team ever to go 0-4 then 3-0 (joining 1963 Indiana, 2001 Penn State). But form cratered: 48-14 rout at Washington exposed defensive woes (allowed 300+ rush yds). Offense hummed early (Pop-Tarts Team of Week after Week 6 win) but ranks 123rd in scoring. Morale: High for “bowl game” rivalry; six starters (e.g., WR Kwazi Gilmer) played every snap.
USC: Trojans were 8-2 entering Oregon loss (42-27), which ended CFP dreams but showcased fight (trailed by 7 entering Q4). Hot streak: Wins over Nebraska (road), Michigan, Iowa—all physical Big Ten tests. Defense improved under Lynn (from 2024’s 100+ rank). Offense: Top-10 efficiency, but Riley era now 34-17 overall. Morale: Bowl-bound motivation; 11-2 rebound from 2024’s 6 losses.
Series History
The Victory Bell trophy dates to 1941 (UCLA gift, “stolen” by USC pranksters). All-time: USC leads 53-34-7 (including vacated 2004-05 wins; UCLA claims 8 straight from 1991-98 as longest streak). Recent (last 10): USC 6-4, but UCLA won 2023 (38-20). At Coliseum: USC 28-15-3. Iconic: 1967’s “Game of the Century” (10-10 tie, O.J. Simpson’s 64-yd TD). USC holds the Bell since 2024’s 19-13 win. Rivalry quirks: Both in home jerseys sometimes (e.g., 2009); “Blood Bowl” flag game Friday.
| Year | Winner | Score | Notes |
| 2024 | USC | 19-13 | Defensive slugfest |
| 2023 | UCLA | 38-20 | Bruins snap skid |
| 2022 | USC | 48-45 | OT thriller |
| 2021 | UCLA | 62-33 | Chip Kelly’s finale |
| 2020 | USC | 43-38 | COVID-shortened |
Betting Trends
USC: 5-6 ATS (45.5%); 2-0 ATS as 21.5+ favorites. 6-5 O/U; overs in 5/6 home games. 8-1 as ML favorites (88.9%). Vs. unranked foes: 4-1 SU but 1-4 ATS.
UCLA: 3-8 ATS (27.3%); 1-2 ATS as 21.5+ dogs. 6-5 O/U; 0-5 SU in November. Road dogs: 2-5 SU, but covered 7/9 as road team in series.
Series Trends: Road team covers 7/9; last 4 meetings 2-2 ATS split. USC outscored UCLA by 38 in last 4 tilts but failed to cover twice. Unders hit 6/10 recent rivalry games (avg. 52 pts).
Game Odds
UCLA Bruins 58
USC Trojans – 21.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odd Direct as of Friday, November 28, 2025
