For years there has been talk of USC and UCLA returning to tradition and wearing contrasting uniforms at their rivalry game. Problem is, NCAA rules prohibit this practice and require that the offending team be docked a timeout.It's a stupid rule, but to date the schools have obliged. It doesn't help that relations grew tense in the last year or two between the programs. Enter Rick Neuheisel.
In theory, the hyper-competitive Neuheisel should further the divide between the programs, but he and USC coach Pete Carroll at least publicly seem to respect each other. So much so, in fact, that next year may be an "Nixon visits China" moment in relations between the programs.
USC and UCLA are very close to announcing a novel idea to heat up their rivalry. Both teams will wear their home colors this season at UCLA's home game Dec. 6 in the Rose Bowl.
That means USC will wear maroon. The plan is for the Trojans to be penalized a timeout when they take the field in their homies. UCLA, then, at its first opportunity will call a timeout to even things up. Pete Carroll apparently has signed off on the p.r. strategy. What a way to ramp up the Trojans-Bruins rivalry.
You know what's next? Full diplomatic relations (yeh right!). Until anything happens this is all just talk and cutesy "Americans playing ping pong in China" type ice-breakers floated before the public. Hopefully it happens.
Previously at FanHouse
It's Time to Let USC and UCLA Party Like It's 1969
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Reader Comments ( Page 1 of 1)
1. can't we all just get along
Posted at 12:29PM on Apr 9th 2008 by wholesale tanning lotion
2. It always seemed that USC and UCLA always left the rivalry and animosity on the field. This is contrasted to Cal & Stanford, where that animosity carries over. My daughter went through an introductory tour at Cal, and the tour guide made it clear that the animosity went 'clear to the bone'.
Posted at 2:49PM on Apr 9th 2008 by dick_lenore
3. Regarding the post by dick_lenore - the uniqueness of the UCLA-USC rivalry is that they really do share the same town. Berkeley and Palo Alto, Tucson and Tempe, Eugene and Corvallis, Seattle and Pullman are all separated enough that they can "claim" their own territory, and act accordingly Very poorly sometimes I might add). USC and/or UCLA fans share the same area, and we have all realized that some civility is needed in order to conduct business. Friendly bets like having to wear your rivals baseball hat or colors the week after the football game around the office happen regularly. However, do not misunderstand. There are plenty of times, including and especially at the games, that we lay plenty of hate on the other guy. Bottom line - I grew up watching the games at the Coliseum (and at the Rose Bowl the first year or two I think) with both teams wearing home colors, and it was great. I hope this report is true and they find a way to bring this back. Plus, they would be sticking it to the NCAA as a bonus. Of course, those clowns in Indianapolis will probably find a way to squash this if it manages to come to fruition.
Posted at 3:15PM on Apr 9th 2008 by Rich
4. As an SC fan I like the idea, but this tradition only existed at the Coliseum, never at the Rose Bowl (site of the '08 game). They should wait until '09 and do it at the Coliseum.
Posted at 3:39PM on Apr 9th 2008 by SCFan
5. Now THAT'S what we're talkin' about- Typical SC Fan says we should wait until it is at the Masoleum because that is THEIR stadium and That would make it SPECIAL- that kind of attitude is EXACTLY what makes the SC/UCLA rivalry what it is!
Posted at 6:42PM on Apr 9th 2008 by UCLA Fan
6. Typical DumbA** FUCLA fan, didn`t even read the part of how the TRADITION (Something you guys lack) only exisited in the Coliseum.
Posted at 7:46PM on Apr 9th 2008 by pb4sc
7. Waiting till 09 to start the tradition? That is exactly the egocentric and typically thoughtless statement of an SC fan. The tradition is to wear home colors, period, irrespective of the location. I think UCLAfan read that post correctly.
Posted at 8:04PM on Apr 9th 2008 by andrew
8. I am an USC alum and fan; I think this is a gereat ideal jsut the way it is written up.
Posted at 10:20AM on Apr 11th 2008 by Jabril.Alexander
9. If you REALLY want to heat the rivalry, after USC calls their timeout, UCLA shouldn't call theirs. Now that'd be hilarious.
Posted at 1:52PM on Apr 13th 2008 by Don
10. Hey, if you really want to heat this rivalry up, maybe one of the schools should ban the others band at all sporting events except football. Oh that's right, the folks over at Westwood High already did that.
Posted at 9:29PM on Apr 23rd 2008 by Mrtravlear