This afternoon, UCLA will host Southern Cal at the Rose Bowl in the 90th meeting between the two schools. While UCLA trails 48-32-7 overall, the Bruins hold an 11-7 advantage in games played at the Rose Bowl. So, that bodes well for the Bruins today.

Let’s dive right in and look at this week’s Keys to the Game.

Keys to the Game

There is no doubt that Bruins have played well this season for head coach Chip Kelly. There are, however, several themes which have been prevalent all season long and those are, once again, out keys to today’s game.

1. Turnovers

There is no bigger difference maker than turnovers. Against Colorado and Oregon, UCLA turned the ball over four times on the road and lost. Against UC Berkeley, they turned it over less and the Golden Bears turned it over more and the Bruins won. Last week against Arizona, UCLA avoided turning the ball over and then the defense made two later interceptions which helped seal the game. The Bruins avoided turning the ball over against the Sun Devils while managing to take it away twice, even if UCLA couldn’t capitalize on those takeaways.

Meanwhile, Southern Cal is second in the NCAA this season in turnover margin with +1.5. The team which turns the ball over today will likely win. Thankfully, the Bruins have a turnover margin of +2.0 at home this season.

2. Demetric Felton.

Over the past few weeks, we’ve seen that UCLA can change quarterbacks without missing a beat. That, in large part, has been due to the play of Demetric Felton who has picked up the team and carried the offense.

With Felton sidelined for most of last week’s game due to an injury suffered the week before, there was clearly something missing from the Bruin offense. Hopefully, Felton has recovered enough to be a force against Southern Cal today.

3. Defense.

The Bruin defense has shown a lot of improvement this season. They managed to effectively employ a pass rush which was non-existent last season. The Bruins will need to find a way to stop the Southern Cal receivers. This could be done by having the linebackers and secondary play tight or it could be achieved through the UCLA pass rush which has been much improved this season. It doesn’t matter which way it happens as long as it does.

UCLA Football (3-2)

• Opponent: Southern Cal Trojans (4-0)

• Series Record: Southern Cal leads, 48-32-7

• When: 4:30 pm PT, Saturday, December 12, 2020

• Where: Rose Bowl, Pasadena, CA

• TV: ABC with Dave Pasch, Greg McElroy and Allison Williams

• Live Stream: WatchESPN.com and the ESPN app

• Radio/Audio:
  AM 570 in Los Angeles with Josh Lewin, Matt Stevens and Wayne Cook
  Satellite Radio: Sirius Ch. 136 (UCLA Call) & XM Ch. 197 (UCLA Call)
  And, of course, here in The Mighty Bruin Game Thread!

• Live Stats: UCLA StatBroadcast

• Game Notes:
  UCLA
  Southern Cal

Go Bruins!!!

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