Best of the Week

FOOTBALL

Azusa Pacific at Redlands, Saturday, 7 p.m.

This game is big for both schools. Azusa is coming off its first loss in nearly a year, and Redlands opens SCIAC play after this game. With a strong showing against the defending NAIA national champions, Redlands can gain confidence heading into conference action.

WOMEN’S SOCCER

USC at Duke Tournament, Friday and Sunday.

The No. 7 Trojans hope to continue their best start against two of the top teams in the nation, North Carolina and Duke. The Tar Heels are ranked second, and the Blue Devils are tied for 19th. They will be the fourth and fifth consecutive ranked opponents for USC.

WOMEN’S VOLLEYBALL

Long Beach State at Pacific, Saturday, 2 p.m.

This match has implications both in the standings and the national rankings. It is the first Big West road match for the defending national champion 49ers, and will be their first look at the No. 1 team in the nation.

MEN’S WATER POLO

USC at Pepperdine, Sunday, noon.

The last two national champions face off a week after the Southern California Water Polo Tournament, where USC finished second and Pepperdine was sixth.

UCLA at Stanford, Saturday, noon.

The Cardinal defeated the Bruins in the semifinals of the SoCal Tournament, 9-7, and this will be both teams’ first match since then.