UCLA Football is back and so are we as ‘Go Joe Bruin Predicts The Game’ against the Virginia Cavaliers.
With the return of UCLA Football comes the return of our regularly scheduled program for game week. That is right, we are back in form and bringing you our weekly articles in preparation for the week’s game. So here it is one of them… Go Joe Bruin Predicts The Game!
UCLA Bruins
Virginia 24- UCLA 30
I would say UCLA is going to take this one! First game of the season, I am confident that the team has been working hard and hopefully since they will be at the Rose Bowl, they will be able to pull away successfully. Final score guess….I would say something along the lines of maybe 30-24?
Virginia 10 – UCLA 35
The Cavaliers gave the Bruins trouble last year in the season opener, but both teams have gone in different directions since then. Virginia seems to have regressed a bit after losing some key defensive starters, along with having a new quarterback under center. While the Bruins have lost Hundley since the last meeting, they have improved just about everywhere else. This will be a great game for Josh Rosen to get his feet wet in his first collegiate start.
Virginia 6 – UCLA 31
I think the O-Line is in a much better position than in the opener last year, which should allow the offense to get going. I worry about UVA’s front 7 (which the OL will handle) more than their DBs, which would be Rosen’s responsibility. The other side of the ball doesn’t worry me at all. I say 31-6, with at least one of our scores coming on defense.
Sep 26, 2014; Las Vegas, NV, USA; St. John Bosco quarterback Josh Rosen (3) looks to pass against the Bishop Gorman Gaels at Fertitta Field. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports
Virginia 17 – UCLA 30
Rosen goes deep for a touchdown pass on his first throw in a Hundley-like epic moment to begin his career. After that, the Bruins play suffocating defense and the offense goes ball control, as Paul Perkins explodes for over 150 yards. Virginia puts up some garbage time points to narrow the margin, but UCLA comes away feeling great about the start of the Rosen Era after a solid victory.
Virginia 6 – UCLA 17
I really don’t think the Virginia offense is equipped to score points against the Bruins and I think they will have a tough time, but I do think the UCLA jitters are going to be there. Even though these guys are inexperienced on the Virginia defense, they are still Power 5 conference athletes, while Josh Rosen is a true freshman. He is going to have butterflies and I hope those butterflies come out in the opening game and they evaporate after that.
Virginia 20 -UCLA 34
UCLA, like they were in 2014, will be without suspended offensive line coach Adrian Klemm against UVA. Ridiculous amounts of pressure flustered even the most mobile of quarterbacks in Brett Hundley, and the same is likely to happen to true freshman Josh Rosen in his first ever collegiate game. Three defensive touchdowns put UCLA over the edge last year — but don’t count on that this time around. A shaky first half is bound to happen, and things could get ugly. Nonetheless, during halftime, the Bruins will shake away their jitters, Rosen will find his footing, and they’ll win by two touchdowns.
Devin Fuller against the Cal Golden Bears at Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports
Virginia 7 – UCLA 17
UCLA had a great 2014 season, and although they did have a few significant losses in Brett Hundley, Eric Kendricks and Owa Odigizuwa, they have more than enough depth to withstand the Cavaliers.
One of the great strengths of the Bruins is their depth in the secondary, and even with the loss of DB Ishmael Adams, Randall Goforth, Marcus Rios and co. should be able to slow down Virginia.
Also, look for RB Paul Perkins to take quite a bit of responsibility on Saturday to take some pressure off true freshman QB Josh Rosen. His contributions, along with those of safety nets Jordan Payton, Thomas Duarte, Devin Fuller, among others should be more than enough to earn a season-opening victory.
Virginia 0 – UCLA 35
I am dead serious about this prediction. The Cavaliers lose a lot of players on defense and will not be as potent as last year. The Bruin defense, with new Defensive Coordinator Tom Bradley, is even scarier this year. Why would UCLA Football not shut out Virginia?
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