Greg McElroy shares unique aspect of USC-UCLA rivalry

USC–UCLA is a unique rivalry in college football, basically being the pinnacle of the sport out on the west coast.

Greg McElroy loves one unique aspect of the rivalry. Upon closer inspection, it’s pretty cool. It actually has nothing to do with the actual game being played, sort of.

The former Alabama quarterback discussed the awesome uniform matchup on Always College Football.

“You got to give credit to Pete Carroll and Rick Neuheisel. they were all about it back in 2008 when Pete Carroll asked Rick Neuheisel, ‘Hey, you want to go old school and have both teams where the home uniforms in the matchup,” McElroy said. “Yeah, the tradition had gone away for 26 years but it returned in 2008 and has been here for the last 15. 

“I love that this is a rivalry in which you have such beautiful, beautiful colors on both sides, obviously with the beautiful UCLA blue and the USC Trojan home uniform, which to me is one of my favorite uniforms in the sport. To see those clash there, sometimes in the Rose Bowl, it doesn’t get a whole lot better than that.”

The matchup between the two schools should be another big one in 2023. Both USC and UCLA have College Football Playoff aspirations, although USC might have a better shot based on the roster right now.

But, the Bruins might have their best shot at taking down the Trojans and winning the Pac-12 if they hand the keys to Dante Moore. Moore is the five-star freshman quarterback that could be the best coached under Kelly.

While that is not quite settled right now, USC has Caleb Williams back under center. The returning Heisman Trophy winner doesn’t want to come up short once again.

During an April appearance on First Take, head coach Lincoln Riley explained what the three disappointing losses showed

“I think it showed some of the weaknesses that we had as a football team and areas that we still have to grow,” Riley said. “And, as you said, you inherit kind of what we did. You’ve got some work to do. We were able to make some great strides, but as you said, Stephen, we’re certainly not anywhere close to where we want to be or where we think this place can be.”

USC plays host to UCLA this year but the uniforms won’t look any different. The classic red versus blue will be on display at the Colosseum in 2023 once again.