Turnovers Might Be Elusive

One of the many obstacles to an upset Saturday is USC quarterback Matt Leinart’s proficiency at avoiding turnovers, the sort of thing that could fuel a UCLA team that often has relied on defense to help the Bruins score.

UCLA has picked off 18 passes, second in the Pacific 10 Conference to Washington State’s 22.

But Leinart has thrown 165 passes without an interception and has had only seven passes picked off all season.

“I think he operates their offense so well because he knows where to go with the football and reads coverages well,” UCLA Coach Karl Dorrell said.

“He’s a sophomore, but to me he plays like a senior.”

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The obvious chant is “Beat ‘SC.”

A more basic but necessary one is “Play better football.”

One can’t happen without the other, so UCLA has goals for Saturday that don’t specifically concern playing the Trojans.

“We’re trying to correct a lot of issues that have plagued us the last three weeks,” Dorrell said, “not turning it over, just making wiser decisions offensively, not giving up big-play opportunities defensively.”

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If Oklahoma and USC don’t meet for the national championship, maybe UCLA should decide who is better.

The Bruins are playing No. 1 and No. 2 in the same season for the first time in school history.

However, UCLA has managed the unlikely and difficult feat of playing two different No. 1 teams in the same season twice before.

In 1962, UCLA beat No. 1 Ohio State and lost to No. 1 USC.

In 1972, UCLA beat No. 1 Nebraska and lost to No. 1 USC.

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Center Robert Chai, who sprained his left knee against Oregon, and tight end Marcedes Lewis, recovering from a concussion, are expected to start.... Cornerback Keith Short, a history major with a 3.07 grade-point average, has been selected All-Pac-10 Academic first team. Fullback J.D. Groves was honorable mention.... UCLA is leading the Lexus Gauntlet all-sports competition between the schools, 12.5-5.0, with Saturday’s football game worth 10 points. (The schools also meet in men’s water polo and women’s volleyball Saturday.) The schools have split the two previous Lexus Gauntlet competitions, with USC winning the first and UCLA winning last year.