PROVO — There will be no shortage of storylines Saturday night when Southern California invades LaVell Edwards Stadium for a meeting against BYU.
For starters, the Trojans are ranked No. 1 in the nation. The game will be the first-ever trip to Provo for USC, one of the most storied programs in college football history. Not to mention it will mark the return of former longtime BYU assistant Norm Chow.
If all that weren't enough, Edwards Stadium will play host to an impromptu Watkins family reunion that night, too.
Todd Watkins is a junior wide receiver for the Cougars, and his brother, Travis, is a senior offensive lineman for USC. Saturday's game will be the first time they have ever competed against each other in organized sports.
"It's crazy how it all comes together. It's the first time we've gone head-to-head," Todd said. "It's going to be a new feeling. It's going to be the best feeling two brothers can have, going on the field against each other. And for my parents, also."
Their father, Don, has produced T-shirts in honor of his sons. It depicts a BYU helmet featuring Todd's number, 1, and a USC helmet featuring Travis' number, 63. Todd had one of those shirts at Tuesday's practice.
"My dad and my family will be in the stands wearing these shirts for the Watkins brothers," said Todd, who estimates that at least 20 family members will make the trip from California for the contest. "It's amazing. A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I just want to go out there and do my best. Of any game, I want to do my best in this game."
While Todd is the Cougars' top receiver (11 catches, 204 yards), Travis is a backup left guard. "He's been sharing time with the guy in front of him," Todd said. "He'll see some action this week, I'm pretty sure."
It seems odd that one set of parents could have two sons who play two very different positions. Todd is 6-foot-3, 185 pounds while Travis is listed as 6-3, 305. "If you see my dad, you'll understand," Todd explained. "He's a real big guy and my mom's real slender. We take after them."
As of Tuesday, the two brothers had not spoken to each other since prior to last weekend, when BYU lost to Stanford, 37-10, and USC drubbed Colorado State, 49-0. Todd doesn't know if they will talk before Saturday's game.
"I want to keep him guessing on what I'm thinking," he said. "Both of us are really anticipating a good game and playing with all the emotions of a big game."
Prior to this week, Todd and Travis have spent plenty of time discussing the upcoming showdown. "I've been known to be a trash-talker. But I've backed off a little bit just because we're going head-to-head now. I've held my tongue a little bit," Todd said. "In the couple of weeks that led up to this game, he's been telling me that the (USC defensive backs) are always asking him questions about me, like, 'How are we going to stop him? What are his tendencies?' They're trying to get all of these secrets out of my brother. To my knowledge, I don't think he's told them anything."
Both Todd and Travis prepped at Helix High School in San Diego. USC boasts another Helix High alum, running back Reggie Bush. "This game will be huge for our high school," Todd said. "This is a tribute to the athletes our school puts out. Everyone down there will be watching this game."
Todd also said he is looking forward to facing the vaunted Trojan defense. "USC plays a lot of man-to-man," he said. "What they're trying to say is their defenders are better than our receivers. Personally, I like that matchup and I'm ready for that challenge."
Of course, the Cougars are decided underdogs against the Trojans, but as far as Todd is concerned, that makes this game even bigger. "For us, this is basically our national championship. We have the opportunity to play the No. 1 team in the country, at our house. Being in a non-BCS conference, realistically, this is the biggest shot we have," he said.
"Just like with the Notre Dame game, nobody favored us to win. I know this is different because it's the No. 1 team. But it's still just a team. We're just going to go out there and play."
It's BYU vs. USC. Brother vs. brother.
E-mail: jeffc@desnews.com