Can Old Rivalries Be Renewed?

Feb 10, 2012

When the boss put this subject on the big board a couple of weeks back, I must say I was very excited because of my long time love of the UCLA Bruins. Since childhood I’ve followed the powder Blue and Gold thanks to my grandfather, taking me to games at Pauley Pavilion when Lew Alcindor was roaming the campus. (That’s Kareem Abdul Jabbar for those too young to know). But as I sat down and started writing it brought to mind all the disappointment I’ve dealt with over the years when UCLA and USC have squared off in the battle for bragging rights as the champions of the City of Angels. Probably leading to the delay in finishing this article, which subsequently has led me to believe UCLA will never be able to compete with USC in football.

The rivalry between the two schools is somewhat unique in that the campuses are only twelve miles apart; thereby many students, athletes, and alumni cross paths on a daily basis further intensifying this rivalry that started in 1929 when USC blew out UCLA 76 zip. As I started looking beyond the forty years that I’ve watched these two battle it out, I discovered some interesting facts. One in particular through me for a loop, back in 1954 the year began with traditional football power USC going to the final four of the NCAA basketball tourney, and finished with the basketball powerhouse UCLA winning their only division 1 football national championship. Or that the winner of each game is awarded the Victory Bell, USC holding a huge advantage 46 to 28 in hoisting the trophy overhead.

What I found interesting about this southern California rivalry was that even though UCLA has been the whipping post for the Trojans over the years they hold the longest winning streak in the series at 8 straight during the 90’s with USC’s longest streak being 5 which they’ve done four times in this rivalry. Or that since the formation of conferences that the two have played in, UCLA has the second most titles 23, behind only USC’s with 54.

Even though there seems to be some light in this tunnel that is USC football, facts are that the Trojans have dominated the conferences and the national spotlight in recruiting, title appearances, the ability to appeal to the youngsters around the country because of their rich tradition showcasing the 7 Heisman winners to UCLA’s lone recipient Gary Beban, I already hear the (Who?) The many quality coaches, names like John McKay, John Robinson and Pete Carroll having led the Trojans to multiple national titles. In my opinion this being the biggest reason why the Bruins have struggled so terribly over the last 25 or so years. Terry Donahue having the most success, leading the charge during that 8 game win streak.

UCLA has continually brought in past players to coach this team and honestly none of them had any real success prior to walking the sidelines of the Rose Bowl home of the Bruins. Most recently it’s been names like Karl Dorrell and Rick Neuheisel, neither carrying any notoriety other than Ricky’s blatant NCAA infractions while at Washington and Colorado. Now they’ve hired Jim L. Mora whose name is more synonymous with his father Jim E. Mora and the rants and raves that defined his NFL career as a coach, or his infamous Coors Light commercials.

I can point to the inability to sign any of the nation’s 5-star recruits, or how several of the in state stars either choose USC and the Universities of Oregon and Washington over the campus in Westwood. I truly believe that the athletic department is content to let the other athletic programs like basketball, baseball, tennis and volleyball carry the load, after all these are the sports teams that have defined UCLA athletics making them the leader in national championships in the history of the NCAA with 107, but again USC isn’t far behind trailing by 14 and locking down the number 3 spot all time.

So I say until the higher ups see fit to making football a top priority in the second biggest media outlet in this country, UCLA will continue to play second fiddle to USC in the City of Angels…