UCLA Football heads to the desert to face UNLV which means the Go Joe Bruin gang got together to predict the game!
The Bruins face the Rebels for the first time ever! Unfortunately, it seems like UCLA Football will be too much for UNLV as the majority of Go Joe Bruin writers believe this will be a blow out. We do not see any other outcome other than BOOM!
The Rebels are rebuilding with first-year coach
Tony Sanchez
while the Bruins could possibly have the best team in the
Jim Mora
era. So what do we predict for the UCLA-UNLV game?
UCLA 48 – UNLV 13
I fully expect this game to be a blow out. The offense will continue on the path we saw vs Virginia, while the defense holds the Rebels to 2 field goals in meaningful time, and 1 junk time touchdown. Look for the running backs to have a big game. Go Bruins!
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UCLA 52 – UNLV 3
I could conceivably see a shutout, but I’ll hedge just a little. Their defense shouldn’t present a challenge in any facet of the game. Their offense may get a 15+ yard pass or two, but not much more. UCLA has never played an FCS team, but this game undermines the value of that distinction a little bit.
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UCLA 45 – UNLV 10
UCLA out-athletes and ultimately outscores UNLV in a big way, as the far more talented Bruins use vanilla schemes on both sides of the ball that are still enough to blow out the Rebels and send the traveling Bruin contingent home happy. Rosen does well again in his 2.5 quarters of play, though is not flawless like his debut, and gives way to JERRY, who puts up a couple TDs of his own towards the end.
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September 5, 2015; Pasadena, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins quarterback Josh Rosen (3) and defensive back Octavius Spencer (18) following the 34-16 victory against the Virginia Cavaliers at the Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
UCLA 55 – UNLV 13
With all eyes on Josh Rosen, it will be interesting to see how he performs and if he can continue to live up to the hype. Luckily for Rosen, he faces a UNLV defense that allowed Northern Illinois’ quarterback, Drew Hare, to go 21/26 for 360 yards and 2 TDs in Week 1.
If Rosen’s performance against a lackluster pass defense is surprisingly underwhelming, the Bruins can still rely on Paul Perkins having a field day against a Rebels run defense that gave up 3 rushing touchdowns to NIU running back Joel Bouagnon in the second half alone.
In summary, expect offensive fireworks in the first half, and a lot of action for Jerry Neuheisel and Soso Jamabo in the second.
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UCLA 49 – UNLV 9
I thought the Bruins would be conservative against UVA, and then Rosen came out and blew our minds!
This week I think the Bruins will build a big lead early and fans may be heading for the strip midway thru the 3rd quarter.
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UCLA 41 – UNLV 10
After a great performance in Week 1, I believe Josh Rosen will be able to build on his debut with another masterful performance.
UCLA Bruins
Add in the performances by Paul Perkins, Soso Jamabo etc. and the WR’s, the Bruins indeed look like they could become an offensive juggernaut, especially if the experienced offensive line plays as well as they did in the opener.
Two concerns on defense are the secondary and the loss of Eddie Vanderdoes. Granted, the starting defense did not allow a touchdown, but they did look somewhat shaky early in the game.
Vanderdoes’ production will be extremely hard to replace, but I am confident in Eli Ankou playing well Saturday.
Although we have not seen much of Matt Dickerson, he did play well in mop up last week and could have a solid game versus the Rebels.
Granted, while there are a couple concerns, this should still undoubtedly be a UCLA runaway.
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UCLA 55 – UNLV 6
I first predicted a 42-0 UCLA win. I then said 35-0 on the latest episode of the What’s Bruin Show. But I have since changed my mind. As much as I want a shut out, I do not think it will happen. Instead, I predict UNLV scores, but UCLA scores a lot more.
This will be good practice to break in Vanderdoes’ replacement, get the run game going and the offense to get more comfortable with itself.
Next: UCLA vs UNLV: Keys To Victory