Few Expect Magical Ending

The question did not stump UCLA defensive end Dave Ball, master of the one-liner and possessor of wisdom and perspective as a fifth-year senior and three-year starter: Is there anyone on this planet who thinks the Bruins can beat second-ranked USC in the Coliseum on Saturday?

“Maybe Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny ... somebody mystical,” Ball said. “Shoot, my parents don’t even think we have a chance. But whatever, that’s fine.”

USC is a 22-point favorite, but with the roll the Trojans are on, six straight victories, in which they’ve outscored opponents, 257-91; and the slump the Bruins are in, three straight losses, in which they’ve been outscored, 83-40, many believe that spread is too small.

But if it’s hope the Bruins are looking for, they should look to the past, not the present. Five times in a series that dates back to 1929, an unranked UCLA team has beaten a highly ranked USC team.

Two of the most prominent upsets were in 1959, when UCLA beat fourth-ranked USC, 10-3, and 1984, when UCLA beat seventh-ranked USC, 29-10. In 1992, UCLA overcame a 14-point fourth-quarter deficit to beat 15th-ranked USC, 38-37, in one of the more memorable games in the rivalry.

“They’re a great team, but we’re not going to bow down to them,” defensive tackle Rodney Leisle said. “We haven’t beaten them since I’ve been here, but anything is possible. I look for the cracks and crannies in everything, and whatever we can do to win, we will do. We’re just as good a team as them. We’re just in a slump.”

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Ball, who leads the nation with 15 1/2 sacks, was chosen one of five finalists for the 2003 Bronko Nagurski Award, given to the best defensive player in college football. The other finalists are tackle Tommie Harris and cornerback Derrick Strait of Oklahoma, linebacker Grant Wiley of West Virginia, and tackle Chad Lavalais of Louisiana State.

An MRI test on center Robert Chai’s sprained left knee showed no further damage, and Chai, who dressed for practice Tuesday but did not participate in drills, is expected to play Saturday.... Tight end Marcedes Lewis (concussion) sat out practice but is expected to play Saturday.