Big Game: Charles White, Jeff Fisher, Tom...

Big Game: Charles White, Jeff Fisher, Tom Ramsey and Terry Donahue--the Valley has provided plenty of heroes for this storied cross-town rivalry. . . . Saturday’s matchup will include 26 alumni from high schools in the region.

Twist of Fate: It seems that UCLA recruited Westlake High’s Craig Walendy mainly to get at his talented teammate, Billy Miller. “It came down to ‘Maybe we could get Miller too,’ ” Walendy said. . . . Miller chose USC, where he has struggled at receiver. Walendy, meanwhile, has become a solid starter at fullback for the Bruins.

Bragging Rights: Neither team is ranked. Neither has a shot at the Rose Bowl. But none of that matters to local players who grew up watching USC vs. UCLA. . . . Said Bruin safety Shaun Williams, above, a Crespi alumnus: “The game alone is enough to get me pumped up. Never have I ever played in a game that has so much tradition and excitement.”

Winning Tradition: USC sophomore Marvin Powell III, a former Birmingham star, will play on special teams. So far, he is 0-1 against the Bruins. . . . His father, Marvin Powell Jr., an All-American lineman for the Trojans in the mid-1970s, finished his career 2-1 against UCLA.

Still Hoping: Former Trojan Terry Barnum, on the other hand, never beat the Bruins as a player. Now a USC administrator, the Alemany alumnus is counting on the current crop of players. . . . He said, “I really think they’ll come out and play a great game.”