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Los Angeles vs. New York City rivalry? Let’s see Fordham play USC

Then-USC Coach Pete Carroll and Brian Cushing celebrate toward the end of the Trojans' 32-18 victory over Michigan in the Jan. 1, 2007 Rose Bowl.
(Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)
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There are many Los Angeles-New York City debates, and few can ever be completely resolved. A new category for argument gets underway with the Kings and New York Rangers in the Stanley Cup final beginning Wednesday.

But college football is off the table.

Los Angeles has UCLA and USC.

New York can only offer ancient history.

— Fordham was once the “The Seven Blocks of Granite,” which included guard Vince Lombardi (whatever happened to him?). The Rams played the first televised game, beating Waynesburg College, 34-7. Alabama showed up the next week and beat the Rams, 7-6, in the second televised game.

The last time Fordham was relevant was 1941, when the Rams finished sixth in the Associated Press Poll. USC has had 25 top-10 teams since then, and UCLA 15.

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— Columbia did beat Stanford, 7-0, in the 1934 Rose Bowl. OK, so California hasn’t won a Rose Bowl since 1920, USC has won 17 and UCLA five since 1934. The Lions also set an NCAA record by losing 44 consecutive games from 1983 to 1988.

— Manhattan played in the 1933 Miami Palm Festival Game, which became the Orange Bowl, and lost to Miami, 7-0. The university dropped the sport in 1942. At last report, UCLA and USC are still playing.

On the other hand, New York City has pizza. Los Angeles has something that’s cooked at the California Pizza Kitchen.

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