Scouting Report: UCLA vs. USC

UCLA football (3-2) will put its perfect 2020 Rose Bowl record on the line when it welcomes No. 15 USC (4-0) to Pasadena. Will the Bruins reclaim the Victory Bell, or will the Trojans take their second straight win in the rivalry? Here is this week’s scouting report by Sports editor Jack Perez – who promised he would attend this game before COVID-19 wrecked those plans.

USC’s offense

Base formation: Air Raid

Run-pass percentage: 42.6% run, 57.4% pass

Strength: Passing game

Weakness: Running game

X-factor: QB Kedon Slovis

Through four games, the Trojans’ Air Raid style has generated better statistics than most Pac-12 teams who played in a similar number of contests.

It begins with Slovis. The sophomore threw for more than 3,500 yards and had 30 touchdowns in his first season for the Trojans as he took home Pac-12 Offensive Freshman of the Year.

He has thrown 10 touchdowns and two interceptions in four starts this year – good for second in the conference, although first place Tyler Shough from Oregon has played one more game.

Slovis is not as prolific on the ground as he is through the air, with -19 yards on 16 attempts, but that includes sacks.

The ground game as a whole is not the go-to option for the Trojans. USC currently has three running backs that have compiled between 27 to 35 carries, and none have more than 138 net yards rushing.

The damage has mostly come from the wide receivers. USC boasts four wideouts who have at least 14 receptions and 150 receiving yards, with the top one being Amon-Ra St. Brown.

St. Brown had four touchdowns in the first quarter of USC’s game versus Washington State, leading the Trojans to a 38-13 victory and a continuation of their perfect season.

While UCLA’s pass defense this season is better statistically than last year’s, it has yet to face an air attack like this. If the Bruins revert to last year’s form, Slovis and company could feast.

USC’s defense

Base defense: 3-4

Strength: Forcing turnovers

Weakness: Ummm…..

X-factor: S Talanoa Hufanga

USC’s defense this year has not shown a huge weak spot, but that’s to be expected when facing four teams with a combined one win prior to facing the Trojans.

The Trojans’ opponents this year have scored an average of 21.8 points per game versus USC – currently 27th-best in the nation. However, the highest average scoring offense of those four opponents is Washington State at 79th in points per game, while UCLA sits at 36th with 32.6.

There’s no definite way to beat the Trojans’ defense – USC ranks 34th in passing yards allowed per game and 54th in rushing yards allowed per game, so both paths are far from easy.

The turnovers USC is able to force will be the area to watch out for. The Trojans are the top team in the country at forcing opponents to turn the ball over, and the Bruins give up the ball 1.8 times per game despite not having coughed up possession in either of their past two contests.

If there’s one man for junior quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson to keep his eyes out for, it’s Hufanga. The junior safety has three of the Trojans’ six interceptions this season and pitched in a sack too, with his team-leading 33 tackles.

UCLA has put up at least 25 points in each game so far this year. If the Bruins do not find a way to avoid turnovers though, the Trojans will be in a good position to retain the Victory Bell.