USC and UCLA — both unranked, frustrated, new in the Big Ten and with significant coaching changes. Given the circumstances, one might assume their upcoming matchup wouldn’t be relevant, but that isn’t the case.

No matter how mediocre the Los Angeles rivals may be in any given season, everything is still on the line when rivalry week approaches and the weather starts to feel a bit chillier. And remember that nifty Victory Bell? Its ownership is at stake, too.

Separated by only one victory, both teams’ journeys to their respective states differed greatly. While the Trojans (5-5, 3-5 Big Ten) have yet to win a road game, the Bruins (4-6, 3-5) have only won one game at The Rose Bowl this season. Although USC was touted as a potential College Football Playoff contender through the first handful of weeks, with UCLA appearing to have one of the worst offenses in the country, much has changed.

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More recently, the tide’s momentum has taken on a different hue from cardinal red to Bruin blue. The Trojans have been forced to make last-gasp attempts to save their season while first-year UCLA Head Coach DeShaun Foster appears to have finally found a groove, as the team has won three of its last four games.

Nonetheless, following a three-game losing streak, USC has suddenly won two of its last three. Its most recent win against Nebraska (5-5, 2-4) can be credited, in part, to redshirt sophomore quarterback Jayden Maiava. His USC debut wasn’t perfect or pretty, but he got the job done. His early pick-six throw and critical third-quarter fumble were overshadowed by his 4 touchdowns — 3 in the air and 1 on the ground — breathing fresh air into Head Coach Lincoln Riley’s offensive scheme.

Maiava gave spectators a new perspective on USC’s offense, as his playing style — as expected — was much different than that of redshirt junior quarterback Miller Moss. Maiava wasn’t afraid to make throws downfield, exit the pocket or take risks, three things Moss has often been criticized for not attempting.

Redshirt senior running back Woody Marks had a career-best 146 rushing yards against a sound Nebraska run defense, becoming the first Trojan tailback to eclipse 1,000 rushing yards in a season since Ronald Jones II’s 1,550 in 2017. Facing the Bruins, who boast the seventh-best rushing defense in the FBS, will be a challenge for Marks, but he’ll aim to defy the noise, as usual.

“We have come to expect it from [Marks],” Riley said after practice Tuesday. “He’s been a warrior for this team all year.”

The Trojans can’t seem to go a week without a strange off-field storyline. This week, a flu outbreak has circulated the USC locker room, affecting the team’s preparation for the big game. But Riley and the Trojans know sickness can’t be an excuse, and the team will have to power through it.

“Saturday at 7:30, nobody is gonna care what you had or didn’t have,” Riley said, referring to the flu spell. “You’ve got to be ready to go play the game.”

USC is no stranger to playing UCLA, as the two sides have faced off 93 times. But in reality, the history won’t matter, given the teams’ changes from year to year. Bruins redshirt senior quarterback Ethan Garbers remains a key part of the turnover after earning full-time starter status this season but has faltered immensely, co-leading the Big Ten with 11 interceptions after throwing only three last season.

But to his credit, after throwing picks in each of the first five games, Garbers has only surrendered two in his last four appearances. Increasing his accuracy hasn’t erased all of his woes, though, as Garbers was sacked a season-high six times against Washington (6-5, 4-4) last weekend.

Junior running back T.J. Harden had a rather limited start to the season but has been a focal point of the offense in the last two games. Harden reeled in 79 yards in the air against the Huskies and carried for a season-high 125 on the ground against Iowa (6-4, 4-3). Unlike UCLA, USC’s run defense hasn’t been as productive, so stopping Harden will be a must.

Redshirt junior Carson Schwesinger has established himself as one of the most effective linebackers in the country, leading the Big Ten in total tackles with two interceptions to his name as well. Schwesinger is coming off a season-high 17-tackle performance against Washington.

The crosstown showdown is rarely without crossover. On top of Defensive Coordinator D’Anton Lynn jumping ship from UCLA to USC, redshirt senior wide receiver Kyle Ford, redshirt sophomore safety Kamari Ramsey and redshirt senior cornerback John Humphrey all spent time with the Bruins.

“It’s exciting, it’s another big game for our guys,” Lynn said. “Once the game starts, it’s just ball at the end of the day.”

Hatred brews between the Bruins and Trojans as the rivalry simply isn’t spirited without trash talk. Foster referred to UCLA attendees as “smarter” in a press conference Monday, jabbing USC.

USC will head to The Rose Bowl Saturday at 7:30 p.m. to once again try to prove its prowess as L.A.’s top college football program.