Not just a rivalry game: Revived No. 17 UCLA hosts No. 21 USC with Pac-12 South title on line

PASADENA, Calif. – Los Angeles' annual crosstown rivalry game hasn't been much of a rivalry or much of a game in recent years.

Take last year, when Southern California obliterated UCLA 50-0 for the Trojans' 12th win over the Bruins in 13 years.

Yet that loss changed everything at UCLA when Jim Mora took over and returned the program to respectability.

Much more than Los Angeles bragging rights is on the line when No. 21 USC (7-3, 5-3 Pac-12) crosses town to face No. 17 UCLA (8-2, 5-2) on Saturday.

There's a prize much more interesting than the Victory Bell: The winner represents the Pac-12 South in the league championship game in two weeks.

The Bruins mostly claim there's no thought of revenge, yet it's tough for either team to ignore last season's score.