RUSSELL WILSON of the Seattle Seahawks (Wikipedia/Larry Maurer).
Pros: Are the Rams really for real?
Now, things are getting serious. The Los Angeles Rams (3-1) are atop the NFC West and will host the second place Seattle Seahawks (2-2) at the Coliseum on Sunday. It looks like a great matchup: Russell Wilson vs. Jared Goff and the former USC coach back in his old stadium. Let’s 
On other hand, the Los Angeles Chargers have an even more desperate mission. After a 0-4 start, the Bolts need a win in New Jersey against the New York Giants (0-4) or risk disappearing from the Southern California sports conversation. To put it another way, without a win on Sunday, the Chargers will lose the “Battle for L.A.”
Colleges: SoCal needs to do better
USC: Trojans hope to bounce back having lost their Pac-12 opener. They’ll get their chance on Saturday against Oregon State (1-4).
UCLA: After a narrow win last week, the Bruins (3-2) have the week off. They’re next in action on Oct. 14 at Arizona.
Chapman University: The Panthers (1-2) hosts Whittier (0-3) on Saturday in another SCIAC contest.
Golden West College: The Rustlers (2-3) have the week off and are next in action on Oct. 14 at Saddleback.
High schools: Early league crucials
The pre-league season is over for nearly everyone in the Garden Grove-Huntington Beach-Westminster area, and conference play is starting this week. There are already some big games in first round action. Such as:
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DYLAN DO of La Quinta. Aztecs face Garden Grove Thursday night (OC Tribune photo).
Garden Grove (1-3) at La Quinta (5-0) at Bolsa Grande Stadium on Thursday. The defending champs – five times in a row – against a team unbeaten in five games. Is this the changing of the guard, or do the title-holders get a sixth title before they leave for the Golden West League next year? Our guess: Pretty close, but Aztecs playing good football now.
- Westminster (4-1) at Santa Ana (4-1) at Santa Ana Bowl on Friday. The Golden West League is blessed with five strong teams, and these are two of them. They’ll meet in a test of title contenders. The loser will have a mountain to climb. Our guess: This is Westminster’s season.
- Ocean View (4-1) at Segerstrom (4-1). These are the other two Golden West League title contenders, and they’ll help narrow down the title field at the Jaguars’ field. Our guess: Ocean View by a TD.
Other games planned for this weekend:
Thursday: Kennedy (2-3) at Pacifica (5-0) at Bolsa Grande Stadium; Edison (3-2) at Huntington Beach (1-4); Loara (2-3) at Orange (5-0) at Fred Kelly Stadium.
Friday: Rancho Alamitos (3-2) at Los Amigos (1-4) at Monsoor Stadium; Santiago (3-2) at Bolsa Grande (1-4); Fountain Valley (4-1) at Marina (3-2) at Cap Sheue Field.