Nevada vs. UCLA: TV Info, Spread, Injury Updates, Game Time and More

The 21st-ranked UCLA Bruins (per ESPN) better be ready for a heavy dose of Cody Fajardo and the pistol offense. The Nevada Wolf Pack will feature both of them when the two teams clash on Aug. 31 at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif.

The season opener for both teams is a reason for optimism, but the Bruins have higher hopes for 2013. After a promising 2012 campaign under Jim Mora Jr., the Bruins are looking to build on last year’s 9-5 record. The Wolf Pack went 7-6 in 2012 which landed them in their eighth-straight bowl game.

Which team will get off to a winning start in 2013? Here’s how you can watch:

Here's a look at the injury situation for both teams.

Bruins’ Early Must-Win Situation

While a season opening-loss wouldn’t completely kill a team in most instances, losing at home to Nevada would put a huge damper on the beginning of the 2013 campaign for UCLA.

First and foremost, the Wolf Pack are a team the Bruins should beat on paper, especially at home. Secondly, the Pac-12 schedule will offer its share of difficult matchups against USC, Stanford and Oregon.

If the Bruins plan to contend for another Pac-12 South title, they need to win games like this.

Brett Hundley and Anthony Barr Lead the Way

The Bruins have stars on both sides of the ball, but one may miss the game. Barr is trying to be ready for the opener and recently told Jack Wang of InsideSoCal.com, that “[you] can’t keep me off the field,” and that he’s felt 100 percent for some time.

The Bruins will need Barr to help chase down Fajardo.

Hundley had a record-setting season for the Bruins in 2012. His 4,095 yards of total offense was the most in school’s history. As a sophomore, he’ll be expected to build on that success.

Fajardo is a Pistol

The Wolf Pack quarterback is one of the nation’s most formidable weapons. Nevada ranked 18th in the nation in scoring last season (37.8 points per game) and rated eighth in total offense (514.85 yards per game), and Fajardo was the catalyst.

He threw for 2,785 yards with 20 touchdowns. He also ran for 1,121 yards and 12 more scores. Containing him is the top priority for the Bruins defense.

Prediction: Bruins 44, Wolf Pack 24

While the scoring for Nevada has been plentiful, the defense has been terribly lacking. This weakness has especially been exposed against opponents from the Pac-12. Nevada has opened the season on the road against teams from the conference the last two years. It has allowed an average of 41.5 points in those two games. 

The Wolf Pack were blasted 69-20 by Oregon in 2011, but they defeated California 31-24 last season. The Bruins have the weapons on offense to light up the scoreboard against the defensively challenged Wolf Pack.

The Bruins defense may not completely stop Nevada, but they have the athletes to contain Fajardo and Co. enough to win a mild shootout, especially if Barr plays.

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