UCLA Football: Ranking the Hardest Games of the 2015 Schedule

Although we're months away from the start of the 2015 season, it's never too early to look ahead at the UCLA football program's future schedule. 

The 2015 slate appears to be a bit more manageable when compared to the 2014 schedule. UCLA will avoid Oregon and Washington this upcoming season and will have one nonconference game on the road—versus lowly UNLV in Las Vegas. 

With that said, the conference road games aren't a breeze by any stretch. Although not expected to be an overly tough game, the affair versus Oregon State in Corvallis could be a tricky ordeal (as Arizona State can attest to). 

This piece will rank the five toughest games on the 2015 schedule for the UCLA Bruins. The rankings are based upon returning starters for the respective teams, as well as the sheer difficulty of the opponent itself.  

A full schedule of the 2015 season can be found here.

5. At Arizona

Associated Press

Arizona head coach Rich Rodriguez

The 2014 Pac-12 South Division winners figure to give UCLA a difficult game. 

The vaunted ZonaZoo student section creates a carnival-like atmosphere, thus making it difficult for opponents. Additionally, Arizona returns a great deal of its roster from a season ago. 

Rich Rodriguez usually has a trick or two up his sleeve. Arizona also isn't conventional on either side of the ball from a schematic standpoint. 

For all of these reasons, this contest figures to be challenging.

4. At Utah

Associated Press

Utah quarterback Travis Wilson

Going to Salt Lake City in late November is always an adventure. 

Weather will likely include wind, rain, very cold temperatures (from a Los Angeles perspective) and potentially even snow. These adverse conditions often even up any sort of athletic advantage an opponent may possess over the Utes. 

Interestingly enough, there's been a budding rivalry developing between the two programs. Utah has played UCLA extremely tough over the past few seasons. Prior to Jim Mora's arrival in Westwood, Utah smacked the Bruins in Rice-Eccles Stadium by a score of 44-6. 

As is the case with any team squaring off versus Utah, UCLA will have to match the Utes' intensity and physicality. 

Another aspect making this game difficult: UCLA plays crosstown rival Southern Cal the following week. Therefore, the Bruins need to be cognizant of not overlooking Utah.

3. Arizona State

Associated Press

Arizona State head coach Todd Graham

Arizona State and UCLA have built a bit of rivalry since both Todd Graham and Jim Mora have taken over their respective programs. 

Aside from UCLA's resounding victory in Tempe a season ago, the games between the sides have been very close. Additionally, both teams have also been among the best in the Pac-12 South Division. 

The Sun Devils will undoubtedly want to atone for last year's embarrassing loss at home. Although Taylor Kelly and Jaelen Strong have moved on, Graham's team is very talented. New starting quarterback Michael Bercovici's arm strength will potentially give the offense an added element in terms of distributing the ball down the field. 

The contest versus ASU is the middle game of a tough three-game stretch, in which the Bruins go to Tucson to face Arizona and finish the troika with an away game at Stanford. 

Expect this game to be a close one.

2. At Southern Cal

Associated Press

Southern Cal quarterback Cody Kessler

Rivalry games are always difficult to predict, especially when both teams in question are expected to compete for a division title. 

Southern Cal is already garnering some considerable hype heading into the 2015 season. Head coach Steve Sarkisian will be buoyed by elite quarterback Cody Kessler and a host of talented skill players. 

Playing in the Coliseum is also no easy task. Prior to UCLA's victory in 2013, the Bruins had not won at Southern Cal since 1997. 

With the respective talent levels of both teams relatively even, it should be a very competitive contest on Nov. 28. The Trojans will be looking to beat the Bruins for the first time in four years. This game could ultimately decide the winner of the Pac-12 South Division.

1. At Stanford

Associated Press

Stanford signal-caller Kevin Hogan

Along with Oregon, Stanford has been Mora's biggest bugaboo throughout his tenure in Westwood. 

UCLA's head coach has yet to defeat the Cardinal. In 2014, Stanford derailed UCLA's shot at competing for the Pac-12 conference title versus Oregon. It also beat the Bruins in the 2012 Pac-12 Championship Game. 

For whatever reason, UCLA has been unable to match the physicality and execution of David Shaw's team. 

While Palo Alto isn't an overly difficult place to play, the Bruins haven't beaten the Cardinal at Stanford Stadium since 2008—which coincides with the last time UCLA has defeated Stanford period. 

Until UCLA can prove it can beat Stanford, this will remain as the most difficult game on the 2015 schedule.