Can USC become something more than a team that just beats bottom-feeders?
That is something that will be at stake when the Trojans host UCLA at the Coliseum. In recent years, big-game victories are in relatively short supply.
Saturday’s loss to Oregon again highlighted how USC tends to falter against the best opponents on its schedule. The biggest victory this season is over Utah, but who considers that a huge accomplishment after the Utes lost to Arizona and UCLA?
USC has already lost to archrival Notre Dame, so a loss to UCLA will make the season a total loss in the eyes of some fans.