UCLA Football: 4 Games That Could Ruin Bruins' 2015 Season
The UCLA football team has four potential problem games within the 2015 regular season schedule.
These opponents aren't necessarily the four most talented teams on the Bruins' upcoming slate. The appearance of the quartet of foes in this piece primarily coincides with the times in which the games will take place.
One contest occurs against a talented nonconference program at the beginning of the season. Another kicks off the conference schedule. Two more games towards the end of the schedule versus fellow Pac-12 South competition could ultimately determine the division winner.
Here's a look at four games that could ruin UCLA's season in 2015.
*UCLA's entire 2015 schedule can be found here.
BYU
1 of 4
BYU is the type of team no major conference program wants to play.
On paper, the bigger conferences should handle a team like Bronco Mendenhall's. The perceived lack of speed and athleticism has been a criticism in the past when speaking about the Cougars.
However, BYU is a team rooted in discipline and maturity. It also doesn't hurt that the squad possesses a quarterback with the talent level of Taysom Hill.
The game versus BYU on Sept. 19 in the Rose Bowl will mark the end of the nonconference portion of the schedule.
A loss in this game could theoretically be the start of a tailspin. Assuming true freshman Josh Rosen starts at quarterback, he'll have to navigate through a very tough starting portion of conference play—which includes games at Arizona and Stanford and contests versus Arizona State and Cal.
At Arizona
2 of 4
The contest on Sept. 26 in Tucson marks the beginning of conference play.
Although picked to finish fourth in the South Division by the media, Arizona is still a very talented team. Running back Nick Wilson and wide receiver Cayleb Jones are as good a one-two combination offensively as anyone in the conference.
Rich Rodriguez—although quirky—is a fantastic football coach. Plus, Arizona is the reigning Pac-12 South Division champions.
As stated in the previous slide, the beginning section of the schedule is not for the faint of heart. A win on the road versus a quality opponent would be a big boost for the Bruins.
Should a loss occur here early in the season, UCLA would already be behind the proverbial eight-ball when it comes to the conference race.
The next three games on the schedule directly following this contest are also very difficult. The Bruins play host to Arizona State—before heading to Stanford and finishing up with an upstart Cal team at home.
Needless to say, this is a very important game in terms of winning the division.
At Utah
3 of 4
There's always a trap game popping up out of nowhere to bite a team in the backside.
UCLA needs to be extremely cautious on Nov. 21—as the Bruins travel to Salt Lake City to take on the Utah Utes.
Rice-Eccles Stadium is no picnic; Utah fans are among the very best in the conference when it comes to being loud and supporting their team. For the presumed young starter in Rosen, playing in a hostile environment with likely inclement weather will be a massive challenge.
To top it off, UCLA will play crosstown rival Southern Cal the following week to close out the regular season. With the division potentially on the line, the Bruins cannot overlook a tough and physical squad in Utah.
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At Southern Cal
4 of 4
The hatred existing between UCLA and Southern Cal is palpable.
Most people living in Los Angeles have some sort of familial allegiance to one of the universities. It's a rivalry that few can match on the collegiate level.
Simply put, a loss to the Trojans will ruin the season for the Bruins. It would hurt even more if Southern Cal were able to win not only the Pac-12 South Division, but also the conference crown.
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