Beaten last week in their season openers, UCLA and USC hope to get on the winning track tomorrow.

The Bruins face UNLV at 5 in the Rose Bowl. The Trojans entertain Utah State at 11 a.m. – really — the Coliseum.

The two teams emerged feeling quite differently about their first games.

UCLA lost 31-24 in overtime to Texas A&M.

After SC was walloped by Alabama 52-6, these questions are asked:

• Is Alabama that good?
• Are the Trojans that bad?

Time will tell. USC, of course, is hoping the Crimson Tide is really that outstanding.

Playing one of the toughest schedules in the nation, if USC can beat other top teams on their schedule the loss to Alabama won’t cut so deeply.

The Trojans also face Stanford, Utah, Arizona State, Arizona, California, Oregon, Washington, UCLA. Their last game is against the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame.

The Bruins have a more favorable assignment although in college football there are no easy games. With the talent level improving all over the world, winning games is getting more difficult to predict.

Mr. Finley may be contacted at sfinley50@aol.com