Last year, a number of experts thought the Bruins were a playoff contender, but the combination of a freshman quarterback and the cannibalistic Pac-12 was too much to overcome. This year, with a year of experience, can Rosen lead the Bruins back to the glory of the Bob Toledo days and whispers of a National Championship? The crystal ball says...
at Texas A&M - UCLA is somehow the underdog in this game, probably because the Aggies are in the SEC, or maybe the oddsmakers figure the Bruins will be too tired from eating all that Texas BBQ. The Bruins are usually pretty good in these season-opening road games against a real opponent. UCLA starts the season off on the right foot, 1-0. (Apparently the Bruins "were too tired" from eating all that BBQ.)
UNLV - The Rebels should be out of this game by halftime and UCLA will be able to start resting the starters by the middle of the third quarter. Was probably a lot more fun when it was in Las Vegas last year and imagine what Rosen could do a hotel room in Vegas now. 2-0
at BYU - Another road test for UCLA and in a state where they seem to struggle a bit. They beat Utah last year in Utah and I'm picking them to beat the Cougars this year in Provo. 3-0
Stanford - The Cardinal have beaten the Bruins like a red-headed stepchild for so many years in a row now that it's bordering on abuse. But, until UCLA actually shows up for a game against Stanford, I'm going to keep picking the tree to open a boot store in the Bruins' ass. 3-1
Arizona - Bruins lit Arizona up last year in Tuscon and think they'll do it again in Pasadena. Arizona head coach Rich Rodriguez is going to be feeling some heat if the Bruins beat him by 25+ again this year, which they might. 4-1
at Arizona St.- What happened to the Sun Devils? They are only a couple years removed from looking like they were going to be competing for the Pac-12 South regularly. Bruins take advantage and get a close win in the desert. 5-1
at Washington St. - The Cougars upset the Bruins at the Rose Bowl last year, sending them into a tailspin where they lost 3 of their last 4 games. This year it's in Pullman, Washington State still has Luke Faulk at quarterback and the Cougars win again. 5-2
Utah - The Utes lost an ugly game at home last year, 17-9. They'll have a shot here to put themselves in great position to win the Pac-12 South. I'll take the revenge factor and the Utes. 6-2
at Colorado - The first of two in a row against the cupcakes of the Pac 12. Colorado is getting better but they still are going to have a losing record. They might stay close into the fourth quarter but the game will never be in doubt. 7-2
Oregon St.- The Beavers are bad. Really, really bad. UCLA beat them 41-0 last year in Corvallis. Expect a similar pounding this year in the Rose Bowl. 8-2
USC - The Clay Helton era. Meh. Still, they have some of the same speed they did last year when they beat UCLA pretty soundly. Will take the Trojans to get the victory and secure the Pac-12 South for Utah. 8-3
at California - This one is tough. If the Bruins lose to USC the week before like I expect, and are moping about, they may come out a little sluggish and the Bears have the offense to make UCLA work. But if UCLA is pissed from the loss and decide they want a shot at a 10-win season with a bowl victory, they will get up early on Cal and never let up, sending the seniors out with a win. 9-3
Picks for Week 2:
at Miami -24.5 Florida Atlantic - The hiring of Mark Richt as the Miami coach was a good thing for the Hurricanes. They actually looked cohesive and well-coached in last week's 70-3 win over Florida A&M. Miami may surprise this year in the ACC and I like them to get to 10 wins with a bowl win.
at Oregon -23.5 Virginia - Virgiinia didn't just lose to Div-IAA Richmond opening weekend, they got routed. Now they fly almost 3,000 miles to one of the loudest environments in college football, against one of the highest flying offenses. This could be really ugly.
Eastern Michigan +24 at Missouri - Missouri should win this game, but they haven't had an offense for the past two years and shouldn't be expected to beat anyone by more than 10 points. The Eagles aren't good, but the Tigers won't cover.
The Battle at Bristol - Tennessee -11 Virgina Tech - A football game in the middle of a NASCAR racetrack with an insane big-screen scoreboard hanging over the whole thing on a Saturday night? Count me in. Tennessee has to be better than they showed against Appalachian State in the opening weekend. Lots of drunks in orange overalls singing "Rocky Top" all night long. 