THE LOCALS

UCLA (4-6, 2-5) vs. USC (4-6, 2-5)

* Kickoff: 12:30 p.m. Saturday, Coliseum, Channel 7.

* Story line: It’s all about the streak. Both teams have had sorry seasons and both have turned to quarterbacks who were never expected to play. Still, Saturday’s winner will believe it was all worth it: Will the streak be over, or will it be nine in a row for UCLA?

* UCLA update: The Bruins’ overtime victory over Rose Bowl contender Washington last week ended a three-game losing streak. Redshirt freshman Ryan McCann took over at quarterback after Cory Paus broke his collarbone, and UCLA will go into Saturday’s game with considerable injury concerns, including a battered offensive line. But receiver Danny Farmer and tailback DeShaun Foster are playing. Foster scored all four touchdowns in UCLA’s 34-17 victory over USC last season.

* USC update: Even as they ended a five-game losing streak by beating Washington State last week, the Trojans displayed a bizarre penchant for mistakes down the stretch. It’s true John Fox began the season as the third-string quarterback, but he is far more experienced than McCann: He is a fifth-year senior who was the Trojans’ starter most of the 1997 season. USC has injury concerns at cornerback, with Antuan Simmons out after back surgery, and at receiver, with R. Jay Soward unable to practice because of a sore hamstring, though he is expected to play.

* Edge to: USC. If not this season, when?

* Line: USC by 7.