For USC senior Dani Otter, the cold temperatures and long hours are all part of the job. A 24-hour job called "Tommy watch."

"I've been out since about 10:30 last night and we just did a little sleepover, taking turns, doing shifts, and making sure no Bruins get anywhere near Tommy," said Otter.

The Bruins she refers to belong to the dreaded rival of any USC Trojan: UCLA.

And Otter isn't alone in her quest to protect their beloved mascot. For 24 hours a day, seven days a week, an on-campus service group called the Helenes makes camp in front of Tommy Trojan and Hecuba, two of USC's unofficial mascots. 

They pack up supplies, roll up blankets, and set up shop every single day. All to make sure no pranks are played by those UCLA students.

"So Hecuba's all boxed up now, we're a few days away from the game where we're gonna beat the Bruins. But it's time to get back to the watch," said Alexa Huerta, president of the Helenes.

The tradition started back in the 1940s with a series of prank wars. From that time period on, two groups, the Trojan Knights and the Helenes have pledged to stand guard during game week.

"We're trying to do our job and protect our statues from that gross school across town. We're doing a good job, we haven't had any issues yet. I like to think that's because they know we're here," says Huerta.

As you can tell, the rivalry runs deep and it's not just the students that get in on the fun. The University also takes precautions by duct-taping Tommy Trojan and Traveller, the White Horse.

With a duct tape cover and a watchful eye, the Helenes are proud to do their part. Especially when it comes to beating the Bruins.

"We're all here in the same city, a lot of other rivalries, they're in different areas, different states and so being so close together, it's just that much more intense," says Huerta

Because for Southern Californians this rivalry means something special.  

"It's a lot of fun and we're definitely trying to like claim our territory," says Huerta.

But much more than just bragging rights are at stake. For fans of each school, it's about who owns L.A.