UCLA Football: 2015 Game-by-Game Schedule Predictions
The UCLA football team will begin its quest for a Pac-12 title on Sept. 5 as the Bruins kick off the 2015 season at home versus Virginia.
Times are exciting for Jim Mora and the Bruins. The team returns 18 starters—including the likes of elite talent such as Jordan Payton, Myles Jack and Kenny Clark. Dually, UCLA has just named highly touted true freshman Josh Rosen as the starting signal-caller.
This piece will offer schedule analysis—and game predictions—for the 2015 season.
Virginia: Win
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This will be a fascinating game on a number of levels.
Last year, Virginia nearly pulled off the upset in the season opener. With all the hype surrounding UCLA at the time, there's no question the Bruins may have been overlooking the Cavaliers.
This certainly shouldn't be the case in 2015. It will mark the debut of Rosen on the collegiate level. With Virginia likely to throw the kitchen sink at UCLA's freshman signal-caller, it'll be imperative that Rosen does not turn the ball over.
I can't imagine UCLA losing this game at home. It's the more talented football team in virtually every facet.
At UNLV: Win
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UCLA fans will flock to Vegas in droves for this road contest.
New UNLV head coach Tony Sanchez is tasked with trying to rebuild a severely undermanned program. The talent and depth simply isn't where it needs to be for UNLV to constantly be competitive.
The Bruins will put up a lot of points in this contest. It's feasible to believe both Rosen and Jerry Neuheisel will split time—especially if it's a blowout.
UCLA will win this game handily.
BYU: Win
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BYU will present UCLA with the stiffest challenge in the nonconference slate.
The Cougars are a veteran team with an explosive offense and a physical nature in general. In some cases, UCLA players will be going up against athletes 5-6 years older.
UCLA will have to contain quarterback Taysom Hill. It would behoove the Bruins to make him throw the football and limit his effectiveness running with his legs.
With Paul Perkins likely a focus of BYU's defense, look for the Cougars to challenge Rosen with single-coverage looks. UCLA's young quarterback needs to prove he can drive the ball down the field.
I see this as a close contest. However, UCLA's athletic advantage on both sides of the ball will be the significant difference.
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At Arizona: Win
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Interestingly enough, Mora is undefeated (3-0) versus the Wildcats.
Arizona's biggest problem is matching up with UCLA's strength up front. Oftentimes in this three-game slate, the Bruins' sheer size overwhelmed the smallish Arizona lines.
There's no question Tucson is a difficult place to play. The vaunted student section will not make things easy for a freshman quarterback. It'll easily be (at this point in the season) the toughest road atmosphere to play in for the squad.
When it comes down to it, UCLA should again be superior up front. Arizona lost a lot from its offensive line, and the Bruins return arguably the best one-two punch in the conference on the defensive line in Clark and Eddie Vanderdoes.
It will be a relatively close game, with the Bruins pulling out the victory.
Arizona State: Loss
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This will be the first trip-up game for the Bruins in the 2015 season.
Arizona State is an exceptionally coached football team under Todd Graham. The Sun Devils possess a great offensive scheme to go along with explosive talent. D.J. Foster is as versatile an athlete as one will find in the conference.
Outside of last year's shocking 62-27 shellacking of ASU in Tempe, the two teams usually play each other evenly.
In this contest, ASU will undoubtedly want to atone for last year's embarrassment. Graham's defense is blitz-heavy—something that could fluster a true freshman quarterback.
Couple that with the fact Arizona State has a senior quarterback in Mike Bercovici, and the Sun Devils will come away with a close victory in the Rose Bowl.
At Stanford: Loss
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Mora has never beaten Stanford during his tenure in Westwood. The Cardinal are in essence the monkey on Mora's back he seemingly can't shake.
Stanford's physical prowess and disciplined style of play is something UCLA simply hasn't been able to match. Last year's flop at the end of the season prevented the Bruins from participating in the Pac-12 Championship Game.
Kevin Hogan returns with a potential star in all-everything athlete Christian McCaffrey. Stanford also returns terrific talent along its offensive line in Kyle Murphy and Josh Garnett.
Until UCLA can prove it can beat Stanford, we'll chalk this one up as a loss.
Cal: Win
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Cal figures to be better on defense. It needs to be, considering it was one of the worst statistically in the country a season ago.
With that said, Cal's bread and butter lies within the passing attack. Signal-caller Jared Goff is arguably the best pro prospect at the quarterback position. He'll enjoy throwing the ball to a litany of good receivers.
Assuming UCLA is coming off a two-game losing streak, a home game versus its rival to the north is a nice opportunity to get back on a winning streak.
The Bruins have a deeper team—and thus will win this contest at home. This game marks the first of four in a row in which UCLA should be the heavy favorite.
Colorado: Win
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Much like Cal, Colorado figures to be an improved football team.
Continuity is key for this program. It returns a vast amount of its squad from a season ago and will rely upon an upperclassman duo of Nelson Spruce and Sefo Liufau for production on offense.
The overall talent level on this team isn't great, but it's a well-coached team. It won't be a surprise to see Colorado reach a bowl game and upset a better team along the way.
UCLA won't be that team. It's too talented, and the game will be played in the Rose Bowl.
At Oregon State: Win
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This is a classic trap game.
Going up to sleepy Corvallis for a contest is never an easy proposition (ask Arizona State). In early November, the weather for this affair likely won't be too good. UCLA will have to withstand the elements and the quirky atmosphere.
With Gary Andersen taking over, it will be fascinating to see what type of scheme he brings to the table. OSU will be starting a new quarterback, whether it's Marcus McMaryion or Seth Collins. Stud running back Storm Woods also returns to boost the backfield.
A key point to remember: Oregon State's new defensive coordinator, Kalani Sitake, came over from Utah. During his days with the Utes, his defenses gave UCLA a lot of trouble.
However, the new staff hasn't been fully able to bring in the talent it needs to execute its specific schemes. As a result, it's unlikely the Beavs will pull the upset.
Washington State: Win
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Mike Leach's squad should be fun to watch this season.
Buoyed by a very deep group of receivers, the Cougars should put up a lot of points throwing the football. They desperately need balance on offense. Last year, WSU was near the bottom in rushing yards per contest.
In the entire 2014 season, the Cougars rushed for 478 yards. To put this in perspective, Oklahoma running back Samaje Perine rushed for 427 yards alone against Kansas.
Against better competition, the one-dimensional nature of the offense hindered the team's ability to win games.
Defensively, WSU should have some issues matching up with the skill players of UCLA. Mossi Johnson in particular could have a game in the slot for the Bruins. Mora's bunch should have no problems in this contest at home.
At Utah: Win
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A late November game in Salt Lake City is always a tricky proposition.
The weather conditions figure to heavily favor the Utes. There generally isn't too much in the way of rain, sleet or snow when speaking about the greater Los Angeles weather patterns.
Additionally, Utah's style of play closely mirrors that of Stanford's. It's no coincidence that UCLA has not had a fun time playing against Kyle Whittingham teams.
Utah possesses one of the best backs in the country in Devontae Booker, but it has little elsewhere on the offensive side of the ball. The front seven should be powerful. However, the potential ineptness of the offense may hinder the defense's effectiveness.
This will be a close game—regardless of whether Utah's offense is clicking or not. It will be key for UCLA to not turn the ball over. With Utah figuring to key on Paul Perkins, look for UCLA to get its superior athletes out in space and make plays down the field in the passing game.
At Southern Cal: Win
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Oh, where to begin.
UCLA has owned the latest installment of the crosstown rivalry versus Southern Cal. Mora's team has won three straight games—and quite comfortably—against the Trojans.
When one compares both teams, UCLA has an advantage on both lines. This has been a big reason why the Bruins have garnered success lately against their hated rival. Additionally, Southern Cal will have to rely upon a number of inexperienced players to fill out its two-deep.
Then there's Steve Sarkisian. How will the Trojans be from a mental state heading into this contest? If Southern Cal suffers an early loss this year, things could snowball quickly into an extremely unpleasant situation. With Sark's recent troubles, it will be compelling to see how this team plays in 2015.
UCLA's the far more stable program right now, and it's a deeper team. It will win a fourth straight in this series.
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