While we here in LA don’t have a pro football, we do have something in this city that is unique, something that puts bears to sleep and keeps Trojan warriors under watchful guard. We’re talking, of course, about the UCLA/USC rivalry.

Spanning back decades, the rivalry centers around two world class universities located just a mere 12 miles from each other. The result? As heated a rivalry as any you can find in sports. And to the winner goes The Victory Bell (the winner keeps the bell on their campus for the entire year) as well bragging rights of “owning” the city.

Visitors to either campus will notice something amiss around the school mascot statues. Due to the prank wars that have ensued during rivalry week, the UCLA Bruin is “hibernating”–literally hiding under a large protective box–while students at USC are keeping “Tommy Trojan” wrapped in duct tape and under 24/7 guard. You can even watch Tommy yourself live via the web through “Tommy Cam.”

KTLA is reporting that USC has already launched the first salvo, with some, err, rewording of the UCLA entrance sign. The “L” and “A” have been crossed out, and an “S” was added to the middle, spelling USC. Oh, and they spray painted what appears to be two penises next to the sign. Take a look at their handiwork here.

The big game is set for this Saturday, November 17^th at noon at The Rose Bowl, where, with the help of the “home” crowd, UCLA hopes to avenge last year’s 50-0 shutout.

-Carlos Delgado, CBS Radio Los Angeles