UCLA Football: Bruins' 2015 Schedule from Easiest to Toughest
The UCLA 2015 football schedule appears to be a bit easier on paper than it was a season ago.
Jim Mora's bunch will take on Oregon State and Washington State this year and will also feature its two toughest nonconference games (Virginia, BYU) at home. The only road contest outside of conference play will be in nearby Las Vegas versus UNLV.
With that said, there are multiple games littered throughout the slate posing potential problems. The road contests in conference play is relatively daunting. The last portion of the schedule is also quite difficult—with away matchups at Utah and at Southern Cal.
This piece will rank the games on the schedule in ascending order, from easiest to the most challenging. The basis for the ranking system includes the opponent's overall talent, as well as the time in which the two teams square off.
UCLA's entire schedule for this upcoming season can be found here.
At UNLV
1 of 12
As opposed to traveling 3,000 miles east to begin the season last year at Virginia, the Bruins will make the easy journey out to Vegas to take on UNLV.
With the contest only four hours away from Los Angeles by car (and one hour by flight), expect a good contingent of UCLA fans at the game.
UNLV is at a severe disadvantage from both a talent and depth standpoint. This game likely won't be close after the first quarter. If anything, this will act as a tune-up of sorts for the Bruins—as they'll face a tough BYU squad the following week.
Colorado
2 of 12
Much like UNLV, Colorado simply doesn't have a lot of talent. This was exacerbated even further with elite defensive tackle Josh Tupou's dismissal.
It will take a Herculean effort by quarterback Sefo Liufau for the Buffaloes to pull the upset versus the Bruins in the Rose Bowl. With UCLA's defense possessing players such as Myles Jack, Kenny Clark and Eddie Vanderdoes, this proposition seems unlikely.
Expect the Bruins to come away with another relatively easy victory.
Washington State
3 of 12
Washington State figures to present some problems for UCLA—if anything due to the fact Mike Leach's team throws the ball 50-60 times (sometimes even more) per contest.
It's an offense predicated upon spreading the ball out among a litany of good receivers. Unsurprisingly, WSU signal-callers often rack up very gaudy passing statistics.
However, Washington State struggles to have balance on offense. It's painfully tough for the Cougars to even get a respectable rushing total in any said game. Additionally, the defense has been downright porous.
Washington State will score some points, but it won't be able to stop UCLA on defense.
Virginia
4 of 12
In last year's contest, a few things were plainly evident.
For one, Virginia was much better than people expected. Secondly, the early start of the game—coupled with the time difference and length of travel—certainly affected UCLA. With the mass amount of expectations surrounding the team, it's also certainly feasible to believe the Bruins overlooked Mike London's team (to an extent).
The three specifics mentioned above shouldn't be an issue in 2015.
UCLA will welcome the Cavaliers to the Rose Bowl in the season opener on Sept. 5. As was the case a season ago, Virginia doesn't possess great depth throughout its roster.
Although it likely will mark the first time in which Josh Rosen takes a snap in college, UCLA should rely upon Paul Perkins for a comfortable victory.
At Oregon State
5 of 12
This is a sneakily tough game for the Bruins.
Walking into sleepy Corvallis and winning on the road is no easy task (ask Arizona State).
With Gary Andersen taking over the program from Mike Riley, one would assume OSU employing a more dynamic, diverse offense. Although the Beavers have lost offensive weapons, such as Richard Mullaney and Sean Mannion, there's enough talent for this team to pull off an upset or two throughout the season.
UCLA will have to weather the potential spoiler efforts of Oregon State—as well as the actual weather (a November night in Oregon might not be too pleasant climate-wise).
California
6 of 12
After a rocky start to his tenure, it appears as if Sonny Dykes has Cal going in the right direction.
The Golden Bears will score points in bunches—largely due to signal-caller Jared Goff. Not only is Goff the best quarterback in the conference, but he's also one of the best in the entire nation.
UCLA will likely be employing five defensive backs at all times in this contest. With the talented collection of receivers Goff has to his disposal, the Golden Bears will likely strike UCLA vertically with big plays in the passing game.
With that said, it helps the Bruins that this game will be played at home.
BYU
7 of 12
The BYU Cougars are not an easy team to play against.
Bronco Mendenhall's bunch are very physical. Additionally, the team in general is a mature group—with some players 5-7 years older than their competitors.
In this contest, it will be the first big test for Rosen. He'll be going up against a litany of grown men. It will also provide UCLA's defense with a stern test. Quarterback Taysom Hill and an array of talented pass-catchers can put up points in a hurry.
Assuming Hill is fully healthy, this will be a very fascinating and competitive contest.
At Arizona
8 of 12
Mora is undefeated (3-0) in his career versus the Arizona Wildcats. For whatever reason, Rich Rodriguez's team matches up poorly with UCLA from a personnel perspective.
However, UCLA will have to make the Trip to Tucson this season. It will also mark the first true road test in the Rosen era.
UCLA will have to try and bottle up an explosive and unconventional offense. With the contest versus BYU the prior week, the Bruins may be a bit beaten-up heading into this affair versus the reigning division champions.
It's a dangerous game, to say the least.
Arizona State
9 of 12
Along with Southern Cal, Arizona State is likely UCLA's biggest rival throughout the conference.
Many kids on the ASU roster grew up hailing from the state of California. Additionally, these two programs have been stalwarts within the Pac-12 South Division since Mora and Todd Graham took over their respective programs in the same year (2012).
Last year, UCLA thumped ASU in Tempe by a score of 62-27. The Sun Devils will want to atone for the porous performance this year in the Rose Bowl.
Not only is Arizona State well-coached, but it also possesses the talent needed to win the division. This contest will go a long way in determining the fortunes of both teams in regard to winning a division crown.
At Utah
10 of 12
Utah and UCLA have had a budding rivalry since the Utes joined the Pac-12 Conference.
The last three games have been played very close. Utah's physical nature, dogged determination and special teams excellence are three characteristics which have given UCLA problems in the past.
In this year's contest, it will be played in Salt Lake City on Nov. 21. A late November tilt in Rice-Eccles Stadium surely won't be a walk in the park. The Bruins can expect to perform in adverse weather conditions.
This is the second-to-last game of the regular season. The following week, UCLA will play crosstown rival Southern Cal. If Utah is out of contention for a division title, the Bruins very well might be looking ahead to the Trojans.
Couple that with the fact Utah will likely possess one of the best defenses in the conference and this will undoubtedly be a tough game.
At Southern Cal
11 of 12
Southern Cal figures to be as talented as any team in the South Division.
Signal-caller Cody Kessler's return was a major boon for the program. Couple that with the elite recruiting class Steve Sarkisian signed and the Trojans appear to be on the rise.
As is the case with any rivalry game, anything can happen. UCLA has defeated Southern Cal in three straight contests. Surely this will act as motivation for the Trojans heading into this game in the Coliseum on Nov. 28.
At Stanford
12 of 12
Stanford is one of two conference teams (along with Oregon) Mora has been unable to beat during his tenure.
The combination of discipline and a physical nature has really given UCLA problems. Outside of the 2012 Pac-12 title game, none of the contests have been overly close from a scoreline standpoint.
Until UCLA can slay the beast that is Stanford, this will remain the toughest game on the Bruins' schedule.
.jpg?w=600 "Offseason Moves for Every Team 👉")
.png?w=600 "New NBA Mock Draft 📝")
