UCLA Football: Bruins Will Lose To Washington State, 27-24

Gary A. Vasquez-US PRESSWIRE

This is one part of a two-part post in which we take two positions, politician-style. For the flip side of the coin, where the Bruins destroy WSU, go here.

These Washington State Cougars are pesky. Despite the fact that they rank near the bottom in every statistical category ever conceived, they’ve managed to raise hell against the likes of Oregon and Stanford, although they lost both games.

This is a trap game for UCLA. The Bruins aren’t known historically for winning conference road games and the Cougars have been playing spoiler since day one.

Add the fact that Mike Leach railed on his players, which might have lit a fire under their asses, and this game is more than dangerous for UCLA; it’s a season-spoiling loss waiting to happen.

Washington State’s depleted with Marquess Wilson — WSU’s top receiving target — now suspended, but the team is still 7th in passing yards in the nation. Those UCLA corners have struggled to stave off solid passing games all season and this one is probably no different.

And let’s not forget the weather, either. Because, last time we checked, Jim Mora didn’t take the Bruins to Russia in the winter to prep them for the season. No, he took them to 100-degree, boil-your-blood-in-a-second San Bernardino for fall camp. It’ll be 28 degrees in Pullman, WA, and the last time UCLA played in that kind of weather, they were blown out by the Utah Utes in Rice-Eccles Stadium.

The Bruins will ruin their marquee match-up by letting the air out of their moment, losing to the Wazzu Cougars 27-24 in a game that will break the hearts of UCLA fans in droves.