This post was updated Nov. 22 at 12:25 a.m.

UCLA football (4-6, 3-5 Big Ten) is heading back to the Rose Bowl to fight for the Victory Bell in the Crosstown Cup against its Los Angeles rival USC (5-5, 3-5) on Saturday night. The Bruins will have to win out the remainder of their 2024 campaign to secure bowl eligibility with a .500 winning percentage. Here is this week’s scouting report from assistant Sports editor Connor Dullinger – who is anticipating back-to-back rivalry victories.

USC’s Offense:
Offensive scheme: Air raid
Run-pass percentage: 40.4% run, 59.6% throw
Strength: Rushing offense
Weakness: Turnovers
X-factors: RB Woody Marks

There is no question that this Trojan offense is not what it used to be.

It’s no longer the high-powered offense led by Caleb Williams and Jordan Addison – both NFL first-rounders – but that does not mean it should be taken lightly.

USC has scored at least 25 points in seven of its 10 matchups this season while posting more than 40 points in multiple contests.

Its scoring production is spearheaded by running back Woody Marks.

The Atlanta local ranks fourth in the conference in rushing yards with 1,024 and fifth in rushing touchdowns and yards per carry with nine and 5.9, respectively. He also ranks third in the conference in rushing yards per game with 102.4.

What makes Marks so special is his versatility in the passing game. Throughout the 2024 campaign, he has logged a team-leading 43 receptions, adding 296 receiving yards.

While quarterback Miller Moss was the Trojans’ go-to signal-caller for the team’s first nine games, coach Lincoln Riley opted for UNLV transfer Jayden Maiava as the new field general in USC’s matchup against Nebraska last Saturday.

In his debut, Maiava recorded 259 passing yards on 71.4% completion to go along with four total touchdowns. While Maiava lacks a clear apex receiving threat, the distribution of production is what makes the Trojan passing game dangerous.

USC has five different receivers with at least 300 receiving yards and two pass-catchers with more than 400 yards through the air. Leading the pack are Makai Lemon and Zachariah Branch, who have combined for 908 receiving yards and four touchdowns.

Despite Maiava’s inexperience and Marks’ prominence in Riley’s offense, USC will head to the Rose Bowl facing a UCLA defense that ranks seventh in the nation in rushing defense – meaning the Trojans may have to rely on an air attack to dismantle the Bruin defense.

What detracts from the Trojan offense is its tendency to turn the ball over. Throughout the 10 contests of its campaign, USC has thrown 10 interceptions and lost six fumbles.

And Maiava threw just one interception against Nebraska a week prior – a testament to his potential to solve the turnover issues that have plagued the Trojans’ season.

USC’s Defense:
Defensive scheme: 4-2-5 + base 3-4
Strength: Pass defense
Weakness: Rush defense
X-factor: LB Easton Mascarenas-Arnold

With Lincoln Riley at the helm, the Trojans have always been known for their high-flying offense.

Rarely are they hailed for their defense.

However, after defensive coordinator D’Anton Lynn took the unit under his wing, the sky truly became the limit.

The Trojans’ greatest defensive attribute is their ability to defend the pass and create turnovers. The USC defense has recorded nine interceptions this season, including a three-interception performance against No. 4 Penn State’s quarterback Drew Allar.

The unit has also held half of its opponents to 200 or fewer passing yards this season, including restricting Michigan to a 32-yard passing performance Sept. 21.

Defensive back Kamari Ramsey highlights the Trojans’ air defense. The former UCLA safety has logged five pass breakups this season – but his greatest strength has come in run support. The Palmdale, California, local has recorded 43 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, two sacks and a team-leading two forced fumbles.

However, what USC has in air defense, it lacks on the ground.

The Trojans have conceded at least 100 rushing yards in eight of their 10 matchups this season, including granting Michigan 290 yards on the grounds over a month ago.

Barring a worrying loss to Washington last Friday, UCLA has proven to have a revitalized offensive line and rushing attack. USC’s rush defense may have a tough time handling UCLA’s ground game, spearheaded by junior running back T.J. Harden – who had a career day last year at the LA Memorial Coliseum, where he rushed for 142 yards and a touchdown on 22 carries.

Despite the Trojans’ inability to stifle the rush, their greatest asset comes in Easton Mascarenas-Arnold. The linebacker ranks seventh in the Big Ten in tackles with 82 and is tied for the team lead in both sacks and interceptions with two apiece.

Mascarenas-Arnold’s partner, linebacker Eric Gentry, also features as one of the Trojans’ premier defenders as he leads the team in tackles for loss with 6.5 and is tied with Mascarenas-Arnold in sacks with two, along with one forced fumble and one fumble recovery.

The Huskies limited the Bruins to 1.6 yards per carry – and the onus falls on Gentry and Mascarenas-Arnold to replicate that success Saturday.