It is never too early to look ahead at the next season, which is why we are taking a way-too-early look at the 2016 UCLA Football schedule.
The UCLA Football team is looking to bounce back next season after an underwhelming 8-5 finish to the 2015 season. Though the Bruins are in a bit of a transitional period, 2016 could be the year the UCLA Football team makes it to the next level.
On the other hand, 2016 could very well be more of the same of what we have seen the last few years, though hopefully that is not the case.
As far as the schedule goes, the Bruins have the odds in their favor. For the most part, many of these match-ups have been good to the Bruins, but as we have seen in the Jim Mora-era, no game is a “gimme”. So with that, let us take a look at the 2016 UCLA Football schedule.
At Texas A&M, Sept 3
The season starts with a game that will certainly be as awkward as it is exciting. The awkward being former UCLA offensive coordiantor and current Texas A&M OC Noel Mazzone going against the Bruins (advantage: Tom Bradley) in both team’s season opener. The exciting being a Pac-12-SEC showdown in College Station, TX which will get national attention.
It may be premature to call this a UCLA victory, and even though Texas A&M is a very early favorite, the Bruins should be ready for this game in QB Josh Rosen‘s first game as a sophomore.
W – UCLA 37, Texas A&M 28
Vs UNLV, Sept 10
I wanted a shut out against UNLV last season and I am going to get it this year! The Bruins blew out the Rebels in Las Vegas last season and the beat down should be a lot more severe at the Rose Bowl in early September.
W – UNLV 0, UCLA 45
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At BYU, Sept 17
This is the first game on the schedule that is truly worrying, simply because it is BYU. Though former head coach Bronco Mendenhall has ditched the Cougars (putting the team in flux), BYU has always seemed to give the Bruins trouble. It also doesn’t help that it is being played in Provo. Still, UCLA should escape with a very close victory.
W – UCLA 24, BYU 23
Vs Stanford, Sept 24
No Kevin Hogan, no problem! Well, a little problem.
Looking ahead, this could be the best chance UCLA has to beat Stanford in the Jim Mora-era, but until that happens, this game is going to the Cardinal.
L – Stanford 33, UCLA 24
Vs Arizona, Oct 1
The Bruins have had the Wildcat’s number lately and that will continue in in 2016.
W – Arizona 17, UCLA 42
At Arizona State, Oct 8
For some reason, UCLA and Arizona State are only good against each other when they play at the other’s stadium, so it is a good thing that this one is being played in Tempe.
W – UCLA 48, ASU 24
At Washington State, Oct 15
Washington State is for real. If they can manhandle UCLA at the Rose Bowl, they will definitely give them a beating up in Pullman.
L – UCLA 17, Washington State 35
Vs Utah, Oct 22
UCLA fans love to hate this match-up. What does not help is the fact that the last time the Utes played in Pasadena, UCLA was utterly embarrassed in a game they should have flat out won. This time, the Bruins will avenge that last loss by defeating Utah for the second year in a row.
W – Utah 17, UCLA 28
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BYE, Oct 29
This will be a much needed rest in order to heal injuries that are most likely going to occur by this point in the season. After this, UCLA only has four games remaining.
At Colorado, Nov 3 (Thursday)
This will be another horrible Thrusday game, though the bonus is that it will be in frigid Colorado in November. Though UCLA should annihilate the conference’s punching bag, do not be surprised if the Buffs take it to the Bruins and once again give them a late scare in Boulder.
W – UCLA 35, Colorado 33
Vs Oregon State, Nov 12
Just like last season’s shut out of the Beavers, the Bruins will once again dominate Oregon State, especially at the Rose Bowl. Expect another shut out in this game.
W – Oregon State 0, UCLA 48
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Vs USC, Nov 19
Revenge is Bruin! After last season’s no show at the Coliseum, expect UCLA to come out swinging in this rivalry game. Looking at the above projections, the Bruins could end the season strong, which will motivate them to defeat their crosstown rivals once again and take back the Victory Bell.
W – USC 28, UCLA 38
At California, Nov 26
There is something about this game I don’t like. Maybe it is UCLA’s inability to finish strong or the fact that this is against UC rival Cal in Berkeley, but something doesn’t seem right about this final game. Knowing UCLA, they will drop at least one game in the season that they should have definitely have won. Unfortunately, this might be that game.
L – UCLA 38, Cal 42
So what we have here is a is a possible 9-3 regular season. Just to add a spice of calamity into the mix, I can see this projection +/- 1 game, which could have UCLA at 8-4 or 10-2. Considering how the Bruins have done in the last few seasons, any of these three records would not surprise.
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Though the variety in this projection is miniscule, I will go with a final regular season record of 9-3. With a record as such, especially in the Pac-12 South Division, UCLA Football could very well play themselves into the Pac-12 Championship Game. If this happens, it will be the first time the Bruins get to play for the conference title since 2012.