On Saturday, UCLA will host Arizona at the Rose Bowl and USC will play Arizona State at the Coliseum.
If you are a fan of both teams, you will need to flip a coin to determine which game you will attend. USC, 1-3, faces Arizona State, 4-0, at 5:30.
Later 2-2 UCLA and 2-2 Arizona kick off at 7:30. USC’s game will be on Channel 11 and UCLA on ESPN.
Both teams are coming off heartbreaking losses to Pac-12 teams. Utah beat USC 31-27 and Stanford defeated UCLA 22-13. If both teams expect to get into the win column this week, their defenses will need to stop teams at the end of the game.
UCLA-Stanford was closer than the 22-13 score. The Cardinal scored a touchdown on the last play of the game when Bruin quarterback Josh Rosen was hit from behind and fumbled the ball. Stanford defensive line Solomon Thomas picked up the ball and ran it into the end zone.
“I didn’t want to throw the ball too early,” said Rosen. “I tried to hold onto the ball one second longer. “I did not see the player behind me,”
The play was supposed to be a Hail Mary but it never materialized.
UCLA is facing three problems. They need to find a No. 1 running back. The receivers need to cut down on dropped balls and the defense has to find a way to stop good teams at the end of the game.
The running back situation is crucial because that will take some of the pressure off their young receivers. The Bruins have three good running backs in Soso Jamabo, Nate Starks and Bolu Olorunfunmi. They are waiting for one to emerge as a star.
“The running game was disappointing,” said offensive coordinator Kennedy Polamalu.
“I am disappointed on how they are producing. They are running hard but they have to use their athletic ability to break tackles. I have to help them more.”
The Trojans will have their hands full against the high scoring Sun Devils. The defense has given up 117 points in four games but the offense may have found a spark in quarterback Sam Darnold who took over for Max Browne.
Darnold has the arm and the legs to help the offense move the ball. Another player helping Trojans move the ball is running back Justin Davis. Now they need to get the same production out of backups Roland Jones II and Aca’Cedric Ware.
The Trojans also need to find a way to get their most electrifying player, Adoree’ Jackson, the ball more on offense. Jackson, w a starting defensive back, also plays on special teams. As a kickoff and punt returner he is one of the best in the nation.
Mr. Finley may be contacted at sfinley50@aol.com