THE LOCALS

No. 7 UCLA (8-2, 6-1) at USC (6-4, 4-3)

* KICKOFF: 12:30 p.m., Channel 7, Coliseum.

* STORYLINE: A UCLA victory combined with a loss by Washington State against Washington will put the Bruins in the Rose Bowl for the second time in five years. USC is trying to end a six-game losing streak against the Bruins and avoid the kind of ugly loss that would throw John Robinson’s future as coach into more uncertainty.

* UCLA UPDATE: Even though the Bruins have won eight consecutive games since their 0-2 start, they still need Washington State’s help to reach the Rose Bowl. The Washington-Washington State game will be played in Seattle simultaneously with the USC-UCLA game--and figures to be strategically updated over the Coliseum’s public-address system. Quarterback Cade McNown, the national leader in passing efficiency, is at the helm of the high-powered offense that has such versatile weapons as tailback Skip Hicks, who is averaging 103 yards rushing a game, and receiver Jim McElroy. Offensive tackle Chad Overhauser says he will play despite a sprained ankle. The Bruins will be without a defensive starter, nose guard Damon Smith, who has been suspended for “team behavioral problems.”

* USC UPDATE: The Trojans lost in overtime last year, 48-41, but to keep it close this season they’ll probably need one of their best offensive performances of the season. Their highest offensive output with John Fox at quarterback is 35 points against Nevada Las Vegas--which is still about a touchdown under UCLA’s scoring average. USC’s 45-point game against Stanford came with Mike Van Raaphorst at quarterback, but Van Raaphorst is out because of an ankle injury. USC’s tailback combination will include LaVale Woods, Delon Washington and Chad Morton. One defensive key: The Trojans rank sixth in the nation in rushing defense, giving up only 84 yards a game.

* EDGE TO UCLA: The Trojans have a solid defense, but UCLA is averaging almost 42 points a game and the Bruins have been held under 34 only twice. Even if USC’s defense can keep UCLA in check, the challenge will be for USC’s offense to keep up.

* THE LINE: UCLA by 9 1/2.