It's time once again for my annual predictions on UCLA's football season. After a terrible year for them in 2016, including QB Josh Rosen going down, finishing 4-8 and coach Jim Mora being on the hot seat headed into this year, I'm expecting better things for the Bruins as long as Rosen stays upright all year long. Away we go...
Texas A&M - The Bruins lost a heart breaker in an entertaining overtime game last year at College Station. Coach Mora needs this one. Coach Kevin Sumlin needs it as well as the Aggies Athletic Department has already made it clear that an 8-5 year will not be acceptable. Expect another high-scoring shootout, with a healthy Josh Rosen and a better defense from the Bruins squeezing by Texas A&M. 1-0
Hawaii - The poor Rainbow Warriors started the season by flying all the way to Massachusetts, then flying home to play Western Carolina and then fly back to Southern California. That's a lot of miles in 15 days. Bruins should win easily. 2-0
at Memphis - UCLA had problems last year when they went to a BBQ heaven in Texas A&M and now they go to another one in Memphis. The Tigers aren't as good as the Aggies were last year, but this one does have a 9am west coast kickoff. Bruins will be a little sluggish to start the game but will pull away and win again before starting conference play. 3-0
at Stanford - And this is where the schedule starts to turn and why that 3-0 start is so important. Until the Bruins prove me wrong, I will continue to pick the Cardinal to wear UCLA out. Stanford might just win the Pac 12 and go to the playoff if their quarterback stays healthy. 3-1
Colorado - The Buffaloes might be better than they were last year. The Bruins should be better than they were last year. Colorado beat UCLA in a close game in Boulder. I think they get another one in Pasadena. 3-2
at Arizona - The Wildcats are a mess and their coach Rich Rodriguez is on the hot seat as well. UCLA ends the two-game losing streak and gets their first conference win. 4-2
Oregon - New coach for the Ducks, same result for the Bruins. Again, like Stanford, until UCLA beats Oregon, I'm sticking with the team with the best looking cheerleaders in college football. 4-3
at Washington - The Huskies went to the playoff last year and played fairly well against Alabama, at least defensively. That defense might not be as good as it was last year, but it will be too tough for the Bruins at Husky Stadium. 4-4
at Utah - UCLA gets weird when they go to Utah. There have been the embarrassing blowouts to BYU and closer than they should be games against Utah. Bruins have to win one of these last few games and I'm picking this one. 5-4
Arizona State - Another Arizona team with a coach in danger of losing his job. Bruins win and a little heat comes off Mora. 6-4
at USC - Rivalry game. Throw out the records, blah, blah, blah. Trojans are more talented, might be playing for the Pac 12 South title and possible playoff berth. They will not have had a bye week all year, so may be a little fatigued and if Bruins get up a couple scores early USC might not recover. I don't think that happens and the heat turns back up on coach Mora. 6-5
Cal - The Bears are supposed to be somewhere between not very good and pretty bad, yet they went cross-country in the opening weekend and took out North Carolina. I still think they are going to be bad and the Bruins need this one. 7-5
Not a great year for the Bruins, but after 4-8 last year, it's an improvement. They'll go to a bowl game and if they can win that, 8-5 won't look so bad, especially after being 4-4 during the season. Winning 4 of their last 5 will have people thinking Rose Bowl in 2018 though they will need to find another quarterback.
