Line: USC by 6 1/2, according to FanDuel Sportsbook. Bragging rights in Los Angeles and possession of the Victory Bell will be little consolation for the winner between the Bruins and Trojans after promising seasons have fallen apart. An embarrassing 17-7 home loss to Arizona State has raised real questions about the likelihood of UCLA coach Chip Kelly getting a seventh season in charge.
Justin Hohn was on the UC Irvine team that fell just short of upsetting a ranked Southern California squad two years ago. Hohn and the Anteaters weren't about to let that chance slip away this time. The senior guard scored 25 points and UC Irvine led the entire second half Tuesday night in a 70-60 victory over No. 16 USC.
JuJu Watkins hasn't made many mistakes in the first three games of her college career. Watkins headed to the sideline after her name was called Monday night before being urged to go stand near the top of the key to greet her fellow Southern California starters. “There’s not really any big flaws in her game,” USC coach Lindsay Gottlieb said before joking, "A freshman that doesn't know where to go after her name is announced.”
Isaiah Collier only knows one speed — fast. Collier scored 19 points, Oziyah Sellers added a career-high 16 and No. 21 Southern California routed Cal State Bakersfield 85-59 on Thursday night in the Trojans’ home opener. Collier had a team-high four turnovers, including three straight in the second half.