WHAT TO KNOW

What’s at stake

The winners of Los Angeles’ annual crosstown showdown get much more than the Victory Bell this time. They’ll also claim the Pac-12 South title and a meeting with Stanford in next week’s conference title game.

Key matchup

USC RBs Justin Davis and Ronald Jones II vs. UCLA defense. The Bruins have often struggled to stop the run with their injuryriddled defense, and the Trojans’ emergent tailback tandem has racked up the bulk of USC’s 169 yards rushing per game in the past seven outings, including interim coach Clay Helton’s run-oriented tenure.

Players to watch

UCLA: WR Jordan Payton. The leading pass-catcher in school history finishes his final regular season with his 39th start. Josh Rosen’s top target is completing one of the most prolific regular seasons in school history.

USC: QB Cody Kessler. The three-year starter has never beaten the Bruins. After another steady season, he would love to end his final game at the Coliseum on the stepladder leading the Spirit of Troy band after a slump-busting victory for the Trojans.

Facts & figures

USC is unranked in this rivalry game for the first time since 2010 and only the second time since 2001. ... UCLA coach Jim Mora is facing his fourth USC head coach in his four seasons in this rivalry game: Lane Kiffin (2012), Ed Orgeron (2013), Steve Sarkisian (2014) and Helton, who is 4-2 as Sarkisian’s interim replacement. ... USC is trying to earn its first trip to the Pac-12 title game. UCLA went in 2011 when USC was banned by NCAA sanctions despite the Trojans’ historic 50-0 victory in the crosstown showdown. ... Even with its three-game winning streak, UCLA has won only four of the last 16 crosstown games. ... Star USC WR JuJu Smith-Schuster expects to play despite declaring himself at 75 percent health earlier this week. ... UCLA’s 35-14 win at the Coliseum in 2013 was its first in the Bruins’ former home arena since 1997.

Betting line

USC by by 3½