TLDR: This Saturday marks the awaited 94th ‘Crosstown Rivalry’ between UCLA and USC—a notable event in collegiate sports with more than just campus pride on the line. Alongside their competition for the famed Victory Bell, the showdown brings attention to sportswear affiliations, with UCLA donning Jordan Branding and USC parading Nike influence, notably tied to late basketball legend Kobe Bryant’s legacy. After deepening its connection as a ‘Mamba Program,’ USC’s football team will showcase specially designed Nike Kobe 6 cleats, hailed for their uniqueness and sporting prowess. This particular ‘USC’ design features a distinctive black snakeskin-inspired upper, accented with garnet and gold embellishments. Not to be outdone, the crew’s cleat choice teases influence from the classic Kobe 6, cementing the Trojans’ embrace of Bryant’s iconic Mamba Mentality. The build-up to this reveal, highlighted by player’s social media teasers, underscores the blend of fashion and football intricacies. As tradition sees the rivalry unfurl amidst compelling Southern California backdrops and unchanged home uniforms, this styling shift with the cleats promises added flair and excitement to the gridiron spectacle.

This weekend’s iconic Crosstown Rivalry not only brings two top-tier collegiate programs head-to-head but also presents a fierce fashion battle on the field. Revving up for the 94th edition of this historic match, the UCLA Bruins will meet their foes, the USC Trojans, with a notable highlight—the bold and exciting introduction of Mamba Mentality to the gridiron. Amidst the rivalry for the cherished Victory Bell, sportswear branding takes center stage, featuring UCLA’s allegiance to Jordan Brand, complete with Jumpman logos and Air Jordan cleats. USC, however, comes with a twist, showcasing exclusive ties to Nike and the Kobe Bryant family.

The USC Trojans have imbibed more than just enrollment in one of the exclusive “Mamba Programs,” with their athletes soon to flaunt the freshly designed Nike Kobe 6 cleats. The anticipation is bubbling since USC’s social media teased these sleek, football-ready shades merging traditional Kobe 6 basketball sneaker elegance and USC’s team colors. A player-exclusive “USC” colorway shall grace the feet of some Trojans with a design that draws heavily from Bryant’s well-loved sixth sneaker debut on Christmas in 2010.

Getting into details, the “USC” colorway packs flair with a black snakeskin-like upper complemented by garnet and gold Swoosh marks. Inside, the garnet insoles shimmer the gold USC emblem, capped with Bryant’s prestige in a golden logo and flourishing signature laces in white. Fans have clung onto excitement, especially following Trojans’ cornerback Prophet Brown teasing a tantalizing cleat sneak peek online.

Wherever the stage, whether beneath the Pasadena sky or nestled in South Central Los Angeles, the picturesque setting of this infamous rivalry now brandishes its latest style weapon. While fans indulge in the contrasting spectacle of home-game colors, these signature Nike Kobe cleats poised to hit the field signify a dazzling shift, combining California’s evocative football scene with a splash of Mamba-fueled innovation.