A historic matchup hits the USC and UCLA rivalry this week

SHANE LEE WAS CONFUSED. The USC linebacker walked out of Monday morning meetings this week and saw the Trojan statue near the center of campus covered in shimmering silver tape pulled taut. Lee, who transferred to USC this offseason from Alabama had to turn to backup quarterback Miller Moss for clarification.

"I thought UCLA did it or something," Lee said. "They told me it's just for protection."

Lee knows about Auburn's Toomer's Corner, the Iron Bowl and what SEC disdain for another team looks like. But the mild-mannered linebacker is new to the Pac-12's marquee rivalry. He's not the only one. With a brand new head coach in Lincoln Riley, a new coaching staff and more than 40 transfer…