UCLA-USC rivalry ratchets up to prohibit swordplay

If you really want to think about it, the new-age USC-UCLA rivalry took on a different feel in August, when USC included this Saturday's game against the Bruins on its "2012 home schedule."

Of course, the game is being played in Pasadena, at UCLA, so it's an away game for USC. Get it?

In response, UCLA is doing its best to ensure that USC doesn't come into the Rose Bowl and make itself at home. On Tuesday, UCLA told USC that the Trojans' drum major would not be allowed to stick his sword into the midfield logo during the USC band's performance prior to kickoff. The routine, which always goes to the drum major, has been part of USC's pregame routine for decades – at least until the 1970s.

An individual in the UCLA athletic department told Chris Foster of The Los Angeles Times that should the drum major choose to stab UCLA's logo, the USC band will not be allowed to perform at halftime.

"In the spirit of cooperation and sportsmanship and at the request of the UCLA athletic department, the USC marching band drum major will not stab the field before the game Saturday," USC said in a statement released Tuesday.

I'd be remiss if I failed to mention that UCLA has lost 12 of 13 to the Trojans, including a 50-0 loss last November that sealed Rick Neuheisel's fate. But times have changed: UCLA is 8-2, atop the Pac-12 South Division, and USC is no longer allowed to just stab away at the Rose Bowl's field like Anthony Perkins in Psycho.

Everyone is excited for Saturday, though you wouldn't know it by watching Jim Mora and Lane Kiffin cut these videos (via the fine folks at SB Nation) promoting good sportsmanship at Saturday's game:

And here's Mora:

Mora's experience on camera clearly came in handy. On the other hand, Kiffin's camera demeanor needs work. (But USC is favored to win on Saturday.)