A group of roughly 30 USC students who are members of the Trojan Knights sat below a cardinal and gold canopy tent in the heart of campus. Tommy Trojan is to the right of them, coated in layers of duct tape.

Across the way, Traveler wears a matching outfit. The dull silver, which has been funded by USC, shields them from potential vandalism from UCLA students, and the Trojan Knights’ watchful eyes are ready to deter any Bruin antics.

“We’ve been doing this for 82 years now,” Calder Swiderski said of the Trojan Knights’ 24/7 security. “When you’re here, and we’re all just chatting, hanging out, it doesn’t set in. But when I walk up for the day, I’m remembering I’m part of this organization that’s historic, that’s been on this campus. This organization’s over 100 years old.”

With the chance of making the College Football Playoff gone and all regular-season ranked opponents behind them, the Trojans can lean into the traditional side of college football that sometimes struggles to co-exist with the evolution of the sport.

USC can complete an undefeated season at home if it beats crosstown rival UCLA, and improve its overall dominance in the rivalry. The Trojans have won 19 of the last 26 rivalry games.

No two college football rivals are closer to each other than the Trojans and the Bruins — there’s only 11 miles between the two schools.

“College football’s gone through a huge transition and in some ways, still kind of going through it,” head coach Lincoln Riley told reporters on a Friday morning Zoom call.

“Some of those (traditions) have been preserved across the country. Some of those have not, and we’re fortunate that this rivalry — with us both being here in town, with us both being in the Big Ten Conference, being conference opponents and not just rivals — has a chance to continue.”

Riley added that he continuously educates his teams on the history and significance of the Battle for L.A., not just during rivalry week, but throughout the season.

It’s helpful context as college football rosters continue to morph due to the transfer portal. Born-and-raised Southern California kids, however, come ready for the rivalry.

“My whole childhood,  it was always such a big game,” offensive lineman Kaylon Miller, who is from Calabasas, said.

“And so the fact that I get to like be there, and a part of it for the second time in my career, and this time getting a chance to play up in it — it’s so important to me that I put in every single effort that I can to make sure that we go out there and dominate this week.

Quarterback Nico Iamaleava has led the Bruins through the ups and downs of an eventful season in his first year with the program. He’s the best passer as well as the best rusher on the team — completing 181-of-285 passes for 1,728 yards and 12 touchdowns with seven interceptions while running for another 490 net yards and four touchdowns on 101 attempts.

Jalen Berger is the second-leading rusher at 207 yards and two touchdowns on 74 carries. Sierra Canyon product Kwazi Gilmer has been UCLA’s most productive receiver with 40 catches for 310 yards and three touchdowns,

It’s unclear whether Iamaleava will play on Saturday. He’s currently day-to-day with neck spasms, according to interim head coach Tim Skipper, after leaving last weekend’s Washington game early due to a helmet-to-helmet hit.

Backup quarterback Luke Duncan will take the field if Iamaleava isn’t healthy enough to play. Duncan has played in three games this season, throwing 21-for-34 for 235 yards and two touchdowns.

USC’s biggest question mark on defense is at safety. Bishop Fitzgerald and Kamari Ramsey both suffered injuries two weeks ago against Iowa that kept them out of the Oregon game.

Christian Pierce and Kennedy Urlacher started against the Ducks and held their own. Going against a weaker offense in UCLA should give the junior/sophomore duo a chance to shine.

The Trojans have made explosive plays on offense thanks to receivers Makai Lemon and Ja’Kobi Lane all season, but true freshman Tanook Hines has also been working his way into the mix as a big-time playmaker and had a season-best 141 receiving yards against Oregon last week.

Quarterback Jayden Maiava matched a career-high in interceptions in his last outing at Oregon but is still spearheading an offense that is best in the conference at 301 passing yards per game, and 479.2 yards of total offense per game.

Riley confirmed to reporters in a Zoom call on Friday morning that offensive linemen Elijah Paige had a season-ending surgery and will not play in Saturday’s game. Center Kilian O’Connor will also be out for the coming game, Riley said, and will be having a procedure in the near future.

UCLA’s defense has struggled this season and is giving up 386.9 yards of offense per game. Knowing that the Trojans have the potential to overpower the Bruins very quickly, the coaching staff could choose to give playing time to a variety of players.

It could also be an opportunity for running back Waymond Jordan to return. He has been listed as “questionable” on the pregame availability report for the last two weeks and has been seen on the sidelines during games celebrating with teammates without visible signs of lower-body limitations.

When: Saturday, 4:30 p.m.

Where: Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum

TV/radio: NBC/ESPN LA 710 AM