USC has been one of the more dominant programs in college football history, but especially since 2000. During this 12 year timespan, they’ve had the big names come through and dominate opposing NCAA teams. Current NFL players Reggie Bush, Carson Palmer, Clay Matthews, Troy Polamalu and Brian Cushing are just a few of the names among the long list. They won two national titles and were seconds away from a third. They also won seven Pac-10 championships.

However, these players did not become part of the great USC history without one key accomplishment: beating UCLA. The Battle for the Victory Bell is the most important game on each team’s schedule, and with good reason: the schools are only 14 miles apart. The proximity of schools creates friction between fan bases. These fans argue why their school is superior in every facet, from academics to who has the better-looking cheerleaders. And football is no exception. The only way to settle which Los Angeles university is more dominant is on the field.

Since the rivalry started in 1929, USC leads the current series 46-29-7, with a 10-2 record since 2000. However, last season, UCLA came out victorious 38-28, their first win since 2006.

However, the football field has not been kind to USC over the past couple years. They recently got off probation from a scandal involving Reggie Bush accepting money from agents, which resulted in the forfeiting of two games in 2003 and the entire 2004 season, including the 2004 National Championship. Also, the Trojans have failed to win a conference championship since 2009, before the conference added Utah and Colorado and became the Pac-12. On top of that, they are on the rebound from a dysmal 2012 campaign, when they were expected to compete for a national title, behind superstar Matt Barkley. Instead, Barkley injured his shoulder and the Trojans finished the season 7-7, with three straight losses to UCLA, Notre Dame, and  finally Georgia Tech in the Hyundai Sun Bowl.

 So the question is, who has the edge for 2013?

The Bruins enter 2013 with a strong core. Anthony Barr is arguably the best player in the matchup and Brett Hundley will be looking to take the next step in his development as a quarterback after a strong freshman season in 2012.

USC begins 2013 without Robert Woods and Matt Barkley on offense, but return superstar Marqise Lee. The key issue for the Trojans is the quarterback position. Max Browne is a superstar freshman, but there is a chance that he won’t begin the season as the quarterback, with sophomore Max Wittek and redshirt sophomore Cody Kessler also battling for the spot.

So as the teams of Los Angeles prepare to decide who is the more dominant team, the early edge goes to UCLA. The Bruins have a legitimate starting quarterback with a full year of experience under his belt and a solid receiver in Shaquelle Evans. On defense,  Barr, as well as defensive lineman Cassius Marsh, will dominate the Trojan offensive line. At the end of the game, UCLA will win consecutive games against USC for the first time since their seven game win streak against the Trojans between 1991-1998.

Final Prediction: UCLA- 31 USC- 17