19 ranking certainly have helped. And a victory in Pauley Pavilion would help convince USC's critics that the Trojans are prepared to win the crucial road games that will go a long way toward determining the Pac-10 champion. USC hasn't won at UCLA since 1993, and the Trojans have only one victory in their past 12 games against the Bruins. But that victory came last season, and it gave the Trojans the confidence boost they need.
Nobody is intimidated.
Trojans coach Henry Bibby has tried to sell tonight's game as only as important as every other Pac-10 game. He even has insisted that UCLA should be expected to win and remains the team to beat in the city. Bibby, however, has sent a different message to his players. I think he got the message.