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Former USC quarterback Matt Leinart endorses UCLA as CFP contender

Stephen Samraby:Steve Samra•10/13/22•

SamraSource

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Brian Rothmuller | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images.

Matt Leinart may not have any love for UCLA — he’s a USC Trojans supporter through and through — but the Bruins are forcing him to reconsider things, at least this season.

USC’s rival has been stealing some of the Trojans’ shine, undefeated in the same vein as Leinart’s former squad is. UCLA quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson has even outshined former Oklahoma star and current USC quarterback Caleb Williams, entering the Heisman conversation for the Bruins.

While individual awards would be awesome for UCLA, the Bruins can be much more than that, as Leinart endorsed his former rival squad as a contender for the College Football Playoff via Twitter.

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“UCLA really putting themselves in the Playoff conversation,” tweeted Leinart. “They are clicking on all cylinders.”

Moreover, the Bruins are 6-0 and looking for more, but have a gigantic showdown with Oregon slated for two weeks from now. Alas, UCLA has a perfectly timed bye week, getting an extra week to prepare for a Ducks team fresh off five-straight wins themselves.

Last weekend, UCLA proved they’re for real, ending Utah’s Playoff hopes with a victory in Los Angeles, sending the Utes packing with a 42-32 loss. Coming into the season, Utah was widely predicted to win the Pac-12 and make some noise come January, but it’s evident the two Los Angeles area programs are the conference’s best shot now.

However, they’re on a collision course for each other, as only one can get a victory come Nov. 19 — the date USC and UCLA will face each other. Time will tell if both are undefeated when the time comes, but nevertheless it’ll be their biggest showdown in a long time.

As you can see, it’s easy to tell why Matt Leinart believes UCLA can get to the College Football Playoff, but their path will directly intersect with that of the Trojan’s. Only one can make it out with a victory later this season, and whichever one does could possibly have the inside track to either the Rose Bowl or College Football Playoff.