Jay Simpson

of the great rivalry between the Indians and the Trojans, one which has seen Southern Cal roll up 11 straight wins in this series, including a three-point thriller up in Palo Alto a year ago.

Stanford, we know, is a lot better football team than a season ago, but so are the Trojans, even without the great old Jay Simpson.

At least that's what the oddsmakers will tell you, and they're backing it up by placing the Trojans in a nine-point favorites role here tonight.

The Trojans are trying for a fourth straight Rose Bowl bid, unprecedented in the annals of the historic Pasadena Classic.