UCLA Can Make National Statement with a Win over Texas in Jerry World

Within the current climate of the sport, wins versus reputable competition can go a long way in determining potential positioning for the College Football Playoff.

The UCLA football team has an opportunity to enhance its playoff resume on Saturday night in a nonconference clash versus Charlie Strong and the Texas Longhorns at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

Ranked as the No. 12 team in the country, UCLA came into this season with the aspirations of playing in the inaugural playoff.

Jim Mora's team hasn't looked great throughout the first two weeks. Struggling to beat two opponents (Virginia, Memphis) with a combined 5-19 record a season ago isn't ideal by any stretch. Style points will likely go a long way in helping the playoff selection committee determine the final quartet.

Fortunately for the Bruins, this upcoming game can aid in their cause.

This isn't your grandfather's Texas team. Strong inherited a group in need of a complete overhaul. He's delivered just that, dismissing or suspending 11 members of the team. Many of these players were starters or expected contributors.

Strong is truly attempting to put his stamp on the program, and it's commendable.

Against UCLA, Texas will be without its starting quarterback (David Ash), starting center (Dominic Espinosa), both starting offensive tackles (Kennedy Estelle, Desmond Harrison) and potentially its best receiver (Jaxon Shipley, per Orangebloods.com).

Texas is also coming off of a 41-7 loss at home to BYU. The Longhorns were only able to muster 258 yards of total offense in the defeat. Strong's defense also gave up 248 rushing yards. This development might have Brett Hundley licking his chops in anticipation of using his legs to pick up yardage.

One may look at this game and assume UCLA is a virtual lock. All signs point to UCLA having a productive day.

However, Texas is still Texas. Much like the state in general, there's an incredibly proud football tradition in Austin. The vast majority of the players on the roster were—at one time—elite recruits coming out of high school.

This fact is not lost on Mora. In a recent press conference, Mora spoke about Texas as a whole:

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Texas as a team is just very talented. This is a team filled with the best players in Texas, which is known as one of the best football states. These were the guys that were the most coveted players out of that state. You can see the ability on film.

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Another main factor against UCLA is the fact this game is being played in the state of Texas. Although it's technically being billed as a neutral-site contest, Austin is a whole lot closer to Arlington than Los Angeles. I'd expect to see a sea of burnt orange on Saturday night, with some blue sprinkled in.

Lastly, Texas has the angle of redemption on its collective mind.

Talented tailback Malcolm Brown spoke with Orangebloods.com about the BYU debacle. "We're embarrassed as well. That's something that shouldn't happen to us as a team," he said.

Eric Gay/Associated Press

With numbers on the roster dwindling, it could be a case of the wounded animal rising up to the occasion, ready to viciously bite.

Although Texas is down from where it usually is, UCLA can make a national statement with this game. The Longhorns are still one of the biggest and most recognizable college football programs in the entire country.

The contest will also be televised nationally at 8:00 p.m. ET on Fox. This stage will allow Hundley to potentially ramp up his Heisman Trophy candidacy. In the process, UCLA will be promoted for most of the country to see. Coupled with the grandiose environment, this will truly make for great theater.

Winning this game would signal success over a very prominent program from a good conference. A victory here could also act as a galvanizing force going forward as the Bruins head into Pac-12 play.